White House opens press briefings to content creators under Trump

New Delhi: The White House under President Donald Trump has announced it will open its press briefings to podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators. 

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history at 27, made this announcement during her first press briefing.

Leavitt emphasised that this move aims to adapt to the evolving media landscape where millions, particularly young Americans, consume news through non-traditional platforms like podcasts, blogs, and social media. "The Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media that are seated in this room," Leavitt stated, highlighting a Gallup poll that shows a record low trust in mass media among the public.

The initiative includes creating a dedicated front-row seat in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room for "new media" representatives. Independent journalists, podcasters, influencers, and content creators are now encouraged to apply for White House press credentials through a newly launched website, whitehouse.gov/newmedia. Those who meet the criteria and pass a Secret Service background check will be granted access.

This policy change follows Trump's strategy during his 2024 campaign, where he engaged with popular podcasters like Joe Rogan and social media personalities, effectively reaching younger demographics. The administration also plans to reinstate press passes for around 440 journalists whose credentials were revoked under the previous administration, signalling broader inclusivity in media representation.

The response to this announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 7,400 applications received from non-traditional media figures within a day of the announcement. 

However, not everyone in the media landscape is on board. Critics argue about the qualifications of these new participants, with some traditional journalists questioning the integrity and preparedness of influencers to handle complex political discourse.

Supporters of the policy, however, see it as a step toward democratising information access and increasing transparency. They argue it aligns with the First Amendment's principles, giving voice to a broader spectrum of media practitioners who resonate with modern audiences.