New Press Secretary Katie Zacharie Heaps Praise on Trump in View of Midterms
Rallying for Midterm Election
On 13 October 2026, newly appointed US Press Secretary Katie Zacharia gave her inaugural press briefing at the White House. As the Midterm Election on 3rd of November 2026 is just around the corner, her intervention focused on President Donald Trump’s achievements.
Shipyard Expansion
The Arsenal 2 Project is the largest American shipyard expansion project since World War II. Located in Maryland, it is projected to create 3,100 direct jobs and support over 11,000 indirect jobs. In addition, Trump selected Cleveland to host the new US Navy Submarine Industrial Base. The facility will manufacture and maintain submarines.
South Korean FDI in US Energy
South Korea is planning to invest up to USD 200 billion in the United States of America. About $120B is earmarked for the construction of eight large-scale nuclear power plants to cater for the energy-hungry AI data centers under construction. Another $54B is destined for a LNG pipeline and terminal in Alaska. Finally, a 6GW natural gas power plant estimated at $22B is going to be built in Texas.
Mesabi Metallics Steel Plant
Mesabi Metallics will build the largest ever steel plant in the US. The plant is estimated at $15B and is located in Iowa. The Project will create 1,750 new jobs and mobilize 6,000 workers during construction. Eventually, it will generate an estimated $95B in economic output.
Anti-Fraud Recovery
Since taking office, the Trump Administration has uncovered over USD 260 billion in fraud. Some $59B has been recovered through indictments, civil monetary penalties and legal settlements.
Venezuela
Zacharia described the special operations in Venezuela as the biggest oil deal in world history, as Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves. After the ‘historic one-day war’, Venezuela now has a ‘great relationship’ with the US and enjoys a ‘booming economy’.
Greenland
After much drama, the US managed to secure lasting control over its security interests in Greenland. The US-Denmark-Greenland Security Agreement was inked on 22 September 2026 on the sidelines of #UNGA81. The independence clause ensures that Greenland remains a NATO member and automatically carries over the security accord with the US. In addition to plans to expand the Pituffik military bases, the US plans to build two more bases at Narsarsuaq and MEstersvig. The position of Greenland makes it the gatekeeper to the North Pole and the Polar Maritime Route.
Fentanyl and China
Trump hailed his tariffs as the main reason for forcing China to take measures to curb the export of fentanyl and precursor chemicals to the US. According to Zacharia, the amount of fentanyl and related compounds entering the US has decreased by 56%.
Trump on Campaign Trail
Trump has gone on the campaign trail in view of the midterms. He has already been in Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas and Alaska, and Georgia, Kentucky and Florida are next on the itinerary. However, the polls indicated that the approval rating for Trump is hovering below 40%, caused by concerns over the protracted military coflict with Iran, rising fuel prices, and inflation in general. For the Midterm Cycle, Elon Musk remains the biggest donor and has reportedly contributed about USD 366 billion to preserve the Republican majority in Congress.