Katie Zacharia made her debut as White House press secretary on Tuesday, succeeding Karoline Leavitt after a major shift in President Donald Trump’s communications team. The new press secretary held a short 14-minute briefing that focused on delivering key news and outlining her vision for the role. This change marks a new chapter for the administration as it moves into the midterm season.
A New Voice for the White House
Zacharia, an attorney and television commentator, previously served as a senior adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group. She also worked as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security before taking this new job. President Trump praised her appointment in a statement, saying she “will do a fantastic job!” per Fox News.
During her first briefing, Zacharia spent most of her time reading prepared remarks before taking questions. She called on just three reporters from conservative outlets like Breitbart and Fox News. According to the Daily Signal, her predecessor frequently summoned over 15 reporters each session, marking a divergence from this strategy.
Zacharia told reporters she hopes to “only build on, only amplify, and only multiply, to the extent possible, all of the wins” that Trump is making for Americans. She noted that the president is his own best spokesperson and that she aims to work in complete tandem with him, per NBC News.
Breaking News on Ambassador Guilfoyle
The briefing took a sharp turn when Zacharia addressed the status of U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. She revealed that the administration has asked Guilfoyle to resign following reports of misconduct. “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia said. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
Luxury trips for Guilfoyle funded by a Greek tycoon were initially detailed in text messages reported by The Wall Street Journal. Reports suggest Guilfoyle had boasted about these trips and her close ties to the administration. During the session, the Daily Mail asked a question that prompted Zacharia to confirm the resignation request.
This news comes as the administration focuses on other priorities like border security and fraud crackdown efforts. Zacharia opened her remarks by touting Trump’s midterm campaign tour and manufacturing job gains. She stated she is “looking forward to working with each of you” as the midterm blitz begins, per the Daily Signal.
Balancing Family and Public Service
Zacharia also shared personal details about how she plans to manage the demanding role. She is a mother of four children between the ages of 6 and 12. “They are my priority. I love being with my kids,” she told reporters, according to the Daily Signal.
She emphasized that missing time with her family is not an option for her. “The idea of not spending evenings with my kids is completely unacceptable,” Zacharia stated. She mentioned her husband is currently away for the week due to two family birthdays.
When asked about intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Zacharia declined to give a direct answer. She said she would “have to get back to you on that” regarding whether the U.S. has stopped sharing data. The briefing ended quickly after she addressed these key topics and her family values.
