Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, had an awkward moment during her first press briefing on October 13, 2026, when she accidentally referred to her husband as “my president.” The 42-year-old was answering questions about balancing her demanding new position with family life, including raising four children. Asked how she would manage the responsibilities while her husband and children were living in California, Zacharia explained that her family would move permanently to Washington, D.C. But as she described her commitment to spending evenings with her children, she stumbled over her words, saying, “My president… uh, excuse me, my husband is out here.” Realizing the mix-up, she laughed and joked about the slip, creating a memorable moment during her first appearance before reporters. Trump announced her appointment on October 9, choosing Zacharia to replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the position to spend more time with her family.
Zacharia previously worked as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group and served in public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. A graduate of Pepperdine University and its Caruso School of Law, she has also appeared as a political commentator on Fox News and Newsmax. Trump praised her as a loyal supporter and expressed confidence in her ability to communicate the administration’s agenda. However, her appointment has also drawn attention to controversial social media posts from 2022 in which she promoted unfounded conspiracy theories, including claims associated with Pizzagate and QAnon. Meanwhile, Leavitt is preparing to begin a new role as an on-air contributor for Fox News in November 2026. Zacharia’s first briefing offered a glimpse of the challenges awaiting her as she takes on one of Washington’s most visible communications jobs. Although her verbal slip quickly became a talking point, her handling of future press questions and her ability to balance public responsibilities with family life will likely attract even greater scrutiny.
