Trump Says Katie Zacharia Will Start as Press Secretary on Columbus Day

ByRichard Miniter

First Published: October 11, 2026, 5:45 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump said Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator and communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, will begin her term as White House press secretary on Columbus Day.

Trump said Zacharia will hold an introductory news conference Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House. The briefing room has not hosted a formal press briefing since Vice President JD Vance addressed reporters on Sept. three, according to cbsnews.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “I am pleased to announce that Katie Zacharia will be beginning her term as Press Secretary tomorrow, Columbus Day, and will be doing an introductory News Conference on Tuesday at 9:30 A.M. from the Press Briefing Room in the White House. Katie has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job! Trump” on October 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 9th message released today, and the last post was 31 minutes ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 50 of his 544 posts over the last 30 days classified as Domestic Policy posts.

Zacharia, a California native, currently works as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, the company that operates truthsocial, according to time. She previously worked at the Department of Homeland Security as a spokesperson for former Secretary Kristi Noem, and she appears frequently on conservative media including Fox News and Newsmax, according to time.

Press Secretary Katie Zacharia posed at the White House on 10/11/2026. She is beginning her term as the White House Press Secretary, a critical role in the administration's communication strategy.

Andrea Hanks / The White House

© copyright Flickr with permission

Zacharia wrote on X that serving as White House press secretary was “the honor of a lifetime,” according to time. She said the work ahead involved “communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day,” according to cbsnews.

Trump first announced Zacharia’s selection on Oct. nine in a truthsocial post praising her “unblemished record of support” and calling her “a devoted fan and member of MAGA,” according to cbsnews. The New York Times first reported that Zacharia had been tapped for the role, according to time.

Zacharia enters the White House during a fight over the media’s access to the president. Trump on Sept. 18 banned POLITICO, CNN, and MS NOW from the White House grounds, sparking an ongoing legal battle, according to time. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order restoring the outlets’ access, though Trump has since restricted POLITICO and CNN from boarding Air Force One, according to time.

Zacharia is married to film producer Tyler Zacharia, and they have four children, according to theguardian. She was appointed in June to the advisory board of NovaRed Mining Inc, a Canadian mining company based in Vancouver, according to time.

Zenger analysis

Photo by  Zenger analysis

President Trump is the author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life, and Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life. Analyst and Trump supporter Rod Martin points to The Art of the Deal, Trump's 1987 book, as an explanation of his deal-making philosophy: making big announcements, pivoting often in public statements and, Martin says, ultimately getting what he wanted all along. Critics contend that Trump's books were published decades ago or were aimed at making money, not shedding light. "Generally," Martin said, "critics don't read The Art of the Deal. If they did, they would understand."