Who will replace Katie Zacharia? Laura Loomer makes her White House job pitch, Candace Owens offers a sarcastic 'endorsement'

Far-right activist Laura Loomer has offered to take over as White House press secretary following Katie Zacharia's sudden departure from the role, triggering an online exchange with conservative commentator Candace Owens, whose response appeared to mock the proposal. Loomer made her pitch on X on October 16, shortly after reports emerged that Zacharia was leaving the position just days after her appointment. Arguing that she would be suited to the job, Loomer said she would bring evidence to presidential briefings. "I would be an amazing Press Secretary. I'd show President Trump all the receipts. I would bring my binder full of receipts to every briefing," she wrote. In another post, Loomer suggested that changing her appearance and name might improve her prospects. "So you're saying if I dye my hair blonde and I change my name to Kora I have a chance?" she asked. The Hill reported that Loomer had put herself forward as a possible replacement as the White House communications team faced another change in personnel. What did Candace Owens say about Laura Loomer's pitch? Owens responded to Loomer's proposal on October 17 with comments that appeared to be sarcastic rather than an unqualified endorsement. "I FULLY endorse this. Every person who understands the Bolshevik takeover of this country should support this. Laura Loomer representing Donald Trump and MAGA is the catalyst our country needs," Owens wrote on X. She followed up with another post: "We need her hired and the neocons defending her hiring. Let's go!" Owens' remarks drew attention amid the discussion over who could take charge of White House press briefings following Zacharia's exit. Owens also reacted to Zacharia's departure by sharing a Lionel Media post on X and writing, "I'm going to miss her." Loomer, meanwhile, had defended the outgoing press secretary against criticism following her first briefing. She said the backlash had been excessive and described Zacharia as someone who appeared committed to serving US President Donald Trump. "I wish Katie the best," Loomer wrote. "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." Addressing criticism of Zacharia's nervousness during her first appearance in the briefing room, Loomer added, "She was nervous. It's not a crime." She also urged people to stop criticising the former press secretary. "Just leave her alone now. The continued dogpiling is just malicious. Let her be." Why did Katie Zacharia leave the White House role? Zacharia's departure followed a brief tenure that began with her appointment on October 9. Trump announced her selection, describing her as a longtime supporter with an "unblemished record of support". He also said she would "work fantastically with the Media, the American People, and my Administration". Zacharia succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down at the end of August following the birth of her second child. Her first White House press briefing on Tuesday lasted around 14 minutes, during which she took questions from just three media outlets. The appearance drew criticism over its length, her delivery and her reliance on prepared remarks. Questions were also raised about her professional qualifications after Trump described her as an attorney. According to Hindustan Times, Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University's law school in 2011 but did not pass the California bar examination. Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity, Zacharia said she had taken the examination once and failed. She described the result as "inconsequential" because she had expected to move to China. There were conflicting accounts of how her departure unfolded. A White House official told Newsweek that Zacharia was "transitioning" out of the position, while CNN, citing presidential advisers, reported that Trump had fired her. Trump subsequently told reporters that he had asked Zacharia to reconsider whether the role was right for her. "I just asked her, 'Is this for you?'" he said. "And she's a nice person. I'm going to let her make that decision." He also said the media had treated her "very, very unfairly" and that she was being "brutalized by the media". "I told her, 'Honestly, if I were you, I would reconsider,'" Trump said. "Maybe it's not for her." Trump has said he is not in a hurry to appoint a replacement. Who is Laura Loomer? Why her name draws attention Loomer is a far-right activist and conspiracy theorist who has maintained close ties with Trump and frequently appeared at events supporting him. She has also travelled on his plane. Her proximity to the president has attracted scrutiny over her potential influence on his decisions. In an April 4, 2025, report, BBC News examined Loomer's role following reports that she had urged Trump to dismiss National Security Council officials she considered insufficiently loyal. Trump denied that she had played a role in the firings. "I don't control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. She's a free spirit," Trump previously said, describing her as "just a supporter". Loomer has also faced criticism from within Republican circles over her rhetoric and conspiracy theories. She has promoted baseless claims, including that the US government was involved in the September 11 attacks, and drawn condemnation for comments about immigrants and Kamala Harris. In 2024, Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticised her in a post on X. "Laura Loomer is a crazy conspiracy theorist who regularly utters disgusting garbage intended to divide Republicans," he wrote. Marjorie Taylor Greene, another Trump supporter, also condemned Loomer's remarks about Harris, describing them as "appalling and extremely racist" and saying they did "not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA". Despite the criticism, Loomer has continued to publicly demonstrate her support for Trump. Her reported access to the president has repeatedly prompted questions about her standing within his political circle. Who else could replace the White House press secretary? Loomer is not the only name to emerge in discussions about the next press secretary. The Hill reported that White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly and conservative commentator Scott Jennings had previously been considered as possible replacements for Leavitt. White House communications director Steven Cheung and conservative author Elizabeth Pipko have also been mentioned in reports. Prediction market Kalshi listed Jennings as the leading contender on October 16, followed by Kelly and Pipko. Trump has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Zacharia, leaving the position open as speculation continues over the next appointment.