White House Press Secretary Pick Pushed Nazi-Era Abortion Pill Conspiracy
The White House selected Katie Zacharia, a former Trump Media communications adviser and Fox News commentator, as its next press secretary. She has promoted a conspiracy theory tying the abortion pill mifepristone to Nazi Germany, though the article notes the drug was developed by a French scientist and approved in France in the 1980s. The piece adds that the corporate history she cited is more complicated, including later acquisitions by Sanofi.
Katie Zacharia, 42, was named White House press secretary. She had been a senior communications adviser at Trump Media & Technology Group, parent of Truth Social, and a Fox News, Newsmax, and CNN commentator. She also worked at Fix California and briefly as a Homeland Security spokesperson under Kristi Noem. She replaces Karoline Leavitt, who left in August for Fox News.
Zacharia has claimed mifepristone is linked to Nazi Germany and Zyklon B. The article notes the drug was created by a French scientist and sold in France in the 1980s. It says the corporate lineage is complex: Sanofi later absorbed the Zyklon B producer and acquired Roussel Uclaf, which made mifepristone.
The appointment may draw more attention to how health claims circulate from high-profile officials. Women seeking medication abortion, clinicians, and journalists could face greater confusion if inaccurate claims about mifepristone spread. It may also shape White House press briefings, potentially affecting public trust in government communications. Because the role is highly visible, her past statements could influence debates over abortion policy and media credibility, though the actual impact remains uncertain.