Trump to Allow Podcasters and Influencers Media Access to White House Press

On Tuesday, the new White House press secretary announced that independent media such as podcasters and social media influencers would be allowed to apply for press credentials.

Karoline Leavitt, the new press secretary, said in her first briefing to reporters that the executive branch will expand the range of eligible candidates for White House press credentials.

The White House’s move to open the campus aims to substantially increase the number of journalists with access to the White House, said Leavitt.

Leavitt is the youngest person to hold the position of White House press secretary at the age of only 27.

The Donald Trump administration will speak with all media outlets and personalities, not just traditional media outlets, said Leavitt. She then cited a Gallup poll, showing low trust in the United States traditional media, especially among young people.

Legitimate independent journalists who create daily news content will be welcome to cover this administration, Leavitt added.

The press credential will be given to those who meet the White House’s criteria and pass a Secret Service background check. The credential, or the hard pass will ease the journalist’s access to press briefings and access to the White House campus.

To reach younger Americans, Trump has talked to many podcasters and social media influencers during his 2024 campaign, many of these appearances aimed toward conservative audiences.

Leavitt reveals that the administration plans to reinstate around 440 journalists who had their credentials revoked by the Joe Biden administration in 2023.

Biden updated standards for a yearly renewal of press credentials in May 2023, only one of those who applied were denied a renewal, the White House reported to Politico at the time.

The Associated Press asked Leavitt whether she considered her job as speaking on behalf of the president or providing unaltered truth, to which she answered the former.

Leavitt also added that she expects reporters to uphold their standards while commenting that many traditional media outlets have spread lies about the current president.

Trump has a rocky relationship with news outlets, with him accusing the media of biased coverage. Recently, he filed numerous lawsuits against U.S. media for alleged unfair coverage.

Trump has called out the Pulitzer board for defaming him by honoring the New York Times and the Washington Post for their coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 election. On Monday, the board asked the Florida state court to pause the defamation case until he finished his term.