Incoming White House press secretary Katie Zacharia pledged to get to work immediately when she takes over the podium on Monday, defending President Donald Trump‘s recent diesel deal as a move she says will help lower gas and grocery prices.
Speaking on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Zacharia said Trump is using a “multifaceted” approach to tackle inflation while balancing U.S. interests overseas.
“President Trump has heard people have been frustrated with the gas prices. People are frustrated with the increasing grocery prices. And he is delivering what he always does, which are solutions,” Zacharia said Saturday.
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“President Donald Trump has never been unambiguous. He is an America-first president. He is putting [American interests] first, American citizens first with this deal. And we will have cheaper gas, cheaper groceries with this diesel deal,” she added.
The president announced Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter.”
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Diesel prices have remained high as conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine continue, with rising fuel costs emerging as an issue ahead of November’s midterm elections. Zacharia suggested that the diesel deal could also help advance peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia.
“He did it with Venezuela, and he did it with—he’s doing it with Canada and did it in Greenland. So, I think we’re [going to] see some historic wins, and President Trump is [going to] deliver that,” she said.
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The incoming press secretary then shifted her focus to November’s midterm elections. She argued the president has “delivered historic results,” but said congressional Republicans could have accomplished more by passing key legislation, including the SAVE America Act.
“I would have loved to see more from our congressional Republicans in the Senate. I think President Trump has done everything in his power to do that,” Zacharia said.
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Her Saturday morning comments followed a Friday night appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” during which Zacharia criticized Democratic campaign strategies, accusing the party of keeping candidates she considers weak out of the public eye.
“This is what happened with Joe Biden, basement Joe, for the 2020 election. We didn’t see him until we had to,” Zacharia told Watters.
“They think they can hide these candidates and we won’t notice,” she added.
Zacharia pointed to California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico as examples of figures she believes Democrats are keeping out of the spotlight.
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“Becerra’s disappeared, Talarico disappeared. And it’s on purpose because they know they can’t continue letting them talk because they’re destroying their campaigns,” Zacharia said.
Talarico reappeared on the campaign trail Friday after a nearly two-week absence, ending days of speculation.
Zacharia also revealed how she learned of her White House appointment, telling Watters that Trump personally called her with the news.
“I got a wonderful phone call from the chief talent recruiter, the president himself,” she said. “He loved what a fighter I was for him… I just get to continue doing what I’ve been doing, which is promote all of the things that President Trump is doing on behalf of the American people.”
Trump announced Zacharia’s appointment on Friday, writing on Truth Social: “It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia. Katie currently serves as Senior Communications Advisor to Truth Social (Trump Media & Technology Group), where she has been outstanding!”
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“She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA! I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration,” he added.
Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson, Louis Casiano and Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.
