Katie Zacharia steps into the White House press secretary role Tuesday at a moment when Trump’s popularity has fallen to record lows and Republicans are scrambling to limit potential losses in the midterm elections, according to NPR. Zacharia, 41, is a mother of four and a Pepperdine Caruso School of Law graduate who has worked for a range of conservative organizations. She most recently served as a communications advisor for Trump Media & Technology Group, the firm that operates Trump’s Truth Social platform, and has been a frequent pro-Trump commentator on Fox News and Newsmax.

In announcing her selection, Trump praised Zacharia’s personal loyalty. “She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning,” Trump said. “She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!” In a social media post on Friday, Zacharia described her new job as the “honor of a lifetime” and praised Trump’s policies, writing: “His confidence is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country.”

Zacharia served on the advisory board for an anti-abortion group called The White Rose Resistance, which takes its name from the Christian students who challenged the Nazis and says it is working to counter “the same evils, the same apathy” faced by opponents of the Nazi regime, according to her online resume.

In an August appearance on the network Real America’s Voice, Zacharia argued that “toxic feminism” had skewed the public’s view of the Lindsay Clancy murder case. Clancy was charged with killing her three children; the five-week trial ended in a mistrial after sparking a national conversation about postpartum depression. “This started with the advocation of abortion,” Zacharia said. “When women are championing the death and murder and the ability to murder their children from conception all the way through, when does humanity begin and end?”

Zacharia has also used her social media accounts to amplify right-wing conspiracy theories, including claims that Democratic leaders took part in pedophile rings. In a 2022 post, she described former Democratic White House chief of staff John Podesta as “Pedo Podesta.” That same year she shared a post from a far-right commentator who claimed Democrats “want to mask and rape your children.” NPR asked the White House for comment on the posts, which the online progressive media site Popular Information first uncovered; administration officials have not responded.

Zacharia’s appointment comes as the Trump administration is engaged in a legal battle with the press corps that covers the president. Last month, the White House restricted access by CNN, MS NOW and Politico, news organizations Trump views as unfriendly. The Justice Department has since launched an investigation into the five television networks that share pool video coverage of Trump.

After being named to serve as White House press secretary, Zacharia drew praise from other administration officials. FBI Director Kash Patel described her as “sharp, fearless” and someone who “knows what it means to stand for the American people.” Karoline Leavitt, who held the press secretary post until August before stepping down, said on X: “I have no doubt Katie will do great work for President Trump and our country.”

In a Saturday appearance on Fox News, Zacharia backed Trump’s controversial plan to import Russian diesel fuel, which has drawn bipartisan criticism. She also praised Trump’s efforts to rally GOP support ahead of the November vote, while suggesting congressional Republicans may be to blame for any losses. “President Trump has made the case and delivered historic results,” she said. “I would have loved to see more from our congressional Republicans and Senate.”