White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia has reportedly removed bikini photos from her social media accounts shortly after being appointed to the position by President Donald Trump. The changes to her Instagram profile were noted after Trump announced last week that the veteran political commentator would take over the role from Karoline Leavitt.
It remains unclear when exactly the photos were taken down, but The Sun reported that images of Zacharia in swimsuits were no longer visible on her account after she assumed her new duties. The publication noted the absence of a photo showing Zacharia in a black and white swimsuit by the sea. Zacharia's Instagram feed has previously featured images of her attending events, working on the set of Fox News, exercising, and traveling.
Zacharia, 41, has previously commented on attire in public spaces, stating that while she believes there is a place for bikinis, "I don’t think it’s an appropriate gym outfit." She is known for her conservative views and outspoken personality and is a frequent guest on Fox News and Newsmax.
She is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and they have four children. Zacharia's career in politics began as an intern for the Republican National Committee. She holds a degree from Pepperdine's Seaver College and its Caruso School of Law. Her prior roles include working in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Bush administration and serving as an outside counsel for the World Bank in China.
Earlier this year, Zacharia served briefly as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before departing in March. Her exit from DHS was reportedly controversial, with some reports suggesting it was due to her connections with Corey Lewandowski. Zacharia denied this, stating that the travel required for the role was difficult for her family.
She then worked as a communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. President Trump announced Zacharia's appointment as press secretary via a Truth Social post, describing her as "outstanding," "loyal," and a "brilliant supporter."
Concerns have been raised regarding Zacharia's credentials after she reportedly failed the California bar exam multiple times. During her first press briefing, she was questioned about which state had admitted her to the bar. Her response, "When I moved to China," did not clarify the situation. She later told The New York Times that she misunderstood the question, believing it asked about her whereabouts after law school, and that noise from Marine One made it difficult to hear.
In a statement provided to the Daily Mail, Zacharia defended her professional background, asserting, "I practiced international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials." The White House has supported Zacharia's appointment. White House spokesman Steven Cheung stated, "Katie is a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team. She is uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his Administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as Press Secretary."
A White House official emphasized that Trump did not appoint Zacharia to perform legal work, highlighting that the press secretary's role focuses on communicating policy and answering media inquiries rather than providing legal counsel.