Trump administration unveils new rules to expand White House media access

• The White House, under Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has introduced new rules to increase access for independent journalists and smaller media outlets, including a rotating seat for new journalists in the James Brady Briefing Room and the reinstatement of credentials for about 440 journalists previously revoked by the Biden administration.
• The initiative aims to engage with a wider array of media, including podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators, reflecting the changing media landscape and the administration’s goal to reach younger audiences and counter declining public trust in mainstream media.
• Approximately 440 journalists, whose credentials were revoked under the Biden administration, will have their access restored, part of a broader effort to restore media access and diversity in the White House press corps.
• One of the key changes involves repurposing a seat in the Briefing Room to rotate among new journalists, ensuring that a broader range of voices, particularly those who have never attended a White House briefing, are included.
• Leavitt emphasized her commitment to telling the truth and representing the president accurately, while also calling for reporters to hold themselves to high standards of honesty, in response to questions about her role and the administration’s relationship with the media.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced new rules on Tuesday, Jan. 28, increasing access for independent journalists and smaller media outlets. The initiative, which includes a rotating seat for new journalists and the reinstatement of credentials for approximately 440 journalists, is part of a broader strategy to engage with a diverse range of media voices and counter declining public trust in mainstream media.

Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the position of White House Press Secretary, described President Donald Trump as the “most accessible” president in U.S. history. She emphasized the administration’s commitment to engaging with a wide array of media, stating, “The Trump White House will speak with all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room.”

The announcement comes at a time when public trust in mainstream media has reached historic lows. According to Gallup statistics cited by Leavitt, Americans are increasingly turning to alternative platforms like podcasts and blogs for news. This shift in media consumption has prompted the administration to rethink its approach to media relations.

The James Brady Briefing Room, built between 1969 and 1970, has long been a symbol of press access to the White House. However, its limited capacity – 49 seats with standing-room-only – has often led to intense competition among journalists. Leavitt’s initiative aims to address this issue by repurposing a seat traditionally reserved for press secretary staff to accommodate a rotating spot for new journalists who have never attended a White House briefing.

Independent journalists and media producers are encouraged to apply through a newly launched website. Eligible applicants must produce content relevant to the administration, cover their own travel costs, and not be affiliated with organizations that already hold briefing room seats.

Podcasters and social media influencers are also welcome to apply for credentials, a move that reflects the changing media landscape and the administration’s desire to reach younger audiences. Leavitt stated, “We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House.” (Related: Second Trump admin to expand White House press access to DIGITAL INFLUENCERS.)

Reinstatement of revoked credentials

Leavitt also announced the reinstatement of credentials for about 440 journalists whose badges were “wrongly revoked” by the administration of former President Joe Biden in 2023. This decision is part of the administration’s effort to restore access for those previously excluded. Leavitt contrasted this approach with that of the Biden administration, which had significantly restricted media access, revoking or denying entry to approximately 440 journalists following tightened regulations.

During her inaugural press conference, Leavitt faced a question from the Associated Press about her role as press secretary: whether she sees her job as “advocating on behalf of the president or providing the unvarnished truth.” Leavitt responded, “I commit to telling the truth from this podium every single day. I commit to speaking on behalf of the president.” She also called for reporters to hold themselves to the same standard, noting that “there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets about this president.”

Trump has had a contentious relationship with news outlets, accusing them of biased coverage and filing several lawsuits against U.S. media organizations over what he believes is unfair coverage. On Monday, Jan. 27, lawyers for the board that awards Pulitzer Prizes asked a Florida state court to pause the defamation lawsuit Trump filed against the board members in 2022 until he is no longer president.

Leavitt’s announcement marks a significant shift in the White House’s media strategy, reflecting the administration’s commitment to engaging with a broader and more diverse range of media voices. As the media landscape continues to evolve, this initiative aims to ensure that President Trump’s message reaches as many Americans as possible, regardless of the platform they use to consume news.

Check out WhiteHouse.news for related stories.

Watch the video below where Leavitt talks about Trump’s drive for transparency and accessibility with all forms of media.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

YourNews.com

VOANews.com

Brighteon.com