Far-right activist Laura Loomer has publicly thrown her hat in the ring for White House press secretary, just hours after Katie Zacharia was removed from the post following a turbulent five-day tenure.
In a series of posts on X, Loomer argued that she was the right fit for the role, writing in one message, "Here me out: Press Secretary Laura Loomer." Two hours later, she doubled down, saying she would "be an amazing Press Secretary" and promising to bring "my binder full of receipts to every briefing" to show President Trump.
Loomer also posted an image of her face superimposed on a woman with long blonde hair, a nod to both Zacharia and her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, who are both blonde. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Loomer's posts.
Zacharia's departure came after she faced sharp criticism for cutting short her first press briefing on Tuesday, appearing visibly nervous and taking only three questions from reporters. Her legal background also came under scrutiny, with questions about her bar exam claims and her past statements about China's legal system. Zacharia later clarified her bar exam answer, but the damage had already fueled speculation about her viability.
Despite the criticism, Loomer defended Zacharia in a Friday post, accusing her detractors of being "unnecessarily cruel." She wrote, "I wish Katie the best. I think it's great that President Trump has people who are so devoted to his cause they are willing to subject themselves to public nitpicking on a daily basis. I'm sure he appreciates it and I think Katie had good intentions."
Before Zacharia's appointment, several Trump allies had been floated as potential replacements for Leavitt, including White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, former acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, former Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, and conservative commentator Scott Jennings. Zacharia's job had been in doubt even before Friday's announcement, as Trump reportedly distanced himself from her performance.
Prediction market Kalshi on Friday listed Jennings as the top contender for the role, followed by Kelly and conservative author Elizabeth Pipko. Trump told Fox News's Peter Doocy that he was in no rush to name a successor, leaving the door open for further speculation.
The rapid turnover in the press secretary role underscores the high-stakes environment of the Trump administration's communications team, where loyalty and on-message delivery are paramount. Zacharia's first briefing had already raised eyebrows, and her China bar claim drew legal scrutiny, complicating her short-lived tenure.
