Trump's new press secretary Katie Zacharia makes striking first-day appearance alongside Natalie Harp

Zacharia was photographed alongside Trump's executive assistant Natalie Harp on the White House South Lawn during her first official day as press secretary. Zacharia wore a navy ensemble, while Harp opted for a beige belted coat. The appearance came three days after Trump announced Zacharia as Karoline Leavitt's successor, bringing a new face into one of the administration's most visible positions.

The new press secretary was also photographed listening alongside Harp as Trump answered reporters' questions before boarding Marine One. Zacharia was beginning her tenure after previously working as a communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. She had also briefly served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security earlier in 2026.

Zacharia's first day also featured an encounter with boxer and social media personality Jake Paul. A Reuters photograph captured Paul standing alongside Zacharia and Harp outside the White House. The Ohio-born boxer was preparing to accompany Trump to Youngstown for a campaign rally, adding a celebrity element to the president's departure.

While Zacharia remained in Washington, Trump departed for Ohio with Paul and former NFL coach Jon Gruden. The president was heading to Youngstown for a political rally supporting Republican Sen Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Both Paul and Gruden have ties to Ohio, with Gruden having previously appeared at a Trump rally in the state.

Zacharia's first-day appearance came as she prepared to take over the White House briefing room from Leavitt, who stepped down on August 27. A California attorney and former conservative television commentator, Zacharia was selected by Trump on October 9. The president praised her as a “loyal and brilliant supporter,” while Zacharia described her appointment as the “honor of a lifetime.” Her first formal press briefing was scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 9.30 am Eastern.