Commentator Katie Zacharia Picked as New White House Press Secretary

President Donald Trump has chosen conservative commentator Katie Zacharia to be the next White House press secretary, making her the sixth chief spokesperson across his two administrations.

Zacharia, 42, currently works for Trump Media & Technology Group and previously had a brief stint as a spokeswoman at the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year. She is a frequent fixture on conservative media outlets Newsmax and Fox News, and has been active in Republican politics for much of her career.

Trump called Zacharia "loyal" and "a devoted fan and member of MAGA" in a social media post on Friday, adding that she had "an unblemished record of support." He noted that she was involved in his campaigns assisting in key swing states "where we won 7 out of 7."

"I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Zacharia thanked him in a post on X, saying: "Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime." She said Trump had "shown America that we can be great again" and that she looked forward "to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out."

Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who left the role in August, has reportedly taken a job with Fox News. Trump had called Leavitt one of his "most trusted aides."

Zacharia, a Pepperdine-educated lawyer, previously worked as an intern for the Republican National Committee and in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Bush administration in 2006. She also served as general counsel for Fix California, a conservative nonprofit started by Trump ally Ric Grenell. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly two years clerking at a law firm in Beijing, China.

Political analysts noted the selection reflects Trump's continued emphasis on loyalty in his administration. Justin Buchler, a political science professor at Case Western Reserve University, told the BBC that Trump's appointments during his second term have been "based on personal affiliation and loyalty."

Reporting by BBC News. Read the original report: Commentator Katie Zacharia picked as new White House press secretary.