” New advertising” writers and bloggers cheered the White House’s statement on Tuesday that it was expanding the push pool in the White House press presentation to listeners, separate reporters, and social media influencers.
” Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television stores and magazines to take their information from apps, blogs, social advertising and other independent stores”, Leavitt continued.
She further stated that “new media voices who produce news-related content” could use the White House’s James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, which would allow them to join the traditional press corps.
” We must spread President Trump’s message everywhere, and adapt our White House to the new media landscape in 2025,” she said.
” If you’re an independent journalist, podcaster, social media influencer, or content creator who meet the criteria — apply to come join us”! Leavitt wrote on the X platform.
Hey @RealAlexJones, you need to apply right away.— Hodgetwins ( @hodgetwins ) January 29, 2025
On Tuesday, content creators responded to the announcement by stating that they wanted to apply for a press credential or that they had already expressed an interest in applying.
Activist Scott Presler, a conservative influencer who helped Trump win Pennsylvania, announced on Tuesday that he was applying for briefing credentials.
” If I am chosen for the White House press briefings, I will do my best to sit near Kaitlan Collins.My hair will be done”, he added in an X post.
If I am chosen for the White House press briefings, I will do my best to sit near Kaitlan Collins.
My hair will be done.
— ThePersistence ( @ScottPresler ) January 28, 2025
” Today, I officially registered for a White House Press Credential. Every day, our show outsmarts the corporate media in viewers. Thank you to the White House for recognizing the importance of independent news. Our audience is real, and we represent the population. What do you want me to inquire about? Benny Johnson, a conservative commentator, said on X.
On X, Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon responded,” The Babylon Bee has applied for White House press credentials.
The Babylon Bee has applied for White House press credentials. https ://t.co/sPKxYwcyA9 pic. twitter.com/eYAlSDNxDC— Seth Dillon ( @SethDillon ) January 29, 2025
Independent investigative journalist JamesO’Keefe announced that he, too, applied on Tuesday.
” Applied for White House press credentials today. Let’s see what happens”, he said on X.
I submitted an application for White House press credentials today. Let’s see what happens. � � @karolineleavitt— JamesO’Keefe ( @JamesOKeefeIII ) January 29, 2025
Other social media influencers expressed interest in the possibility of applying, or they were pressured by other content creators to do so.
Chaya Raichik, creator of the popular” Libs of Tiktok” X account, asked her followers if she should apply, to which many of her fans replied with the responses “obviously” and “absolutely”.
Should I submit an application for press credentials for the White House?
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10 ) January 28, 2025
” Hey @RealAlexJones you need to apply bruh”, the Hodge Twins, X influencers with over 3.2 million followers, said on X to Alex Jones, who has 4 million X followers on his account.
Jones alleged that Jones had been asked to visit the White House “next week” and that he should “go to D.C.” with his fans. His supporters, in his opinion, urged him to join the White House press corps.
Natalie Winters, co-host of Steve Bannon’s popular War Room video podcast, posted a picture of herself in front of the White House with the title of” White House correspondent”.
Milo Yiannopoulos, the firebrand, expressed his interest to the fans by requesting if he apply.
Leavitt also made it clear that the White House would be restoring the press credentials of 440 journalists whose passes the previous administration had “wrongly revoked.”
On Wednesday, ABC’s The View scoffed at the prospect of “new media” joining the White House press corps.
” So instead of Bob Woodward, they want Kim Kardashian? I don’t get it”, Joy Behar mocked the new media plan.
Sunny Hostin, a co-host, ripped the White House’s decision to include influential people in the press briefing.
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” We know that their evaluation system is horribly inadequate and unserious. I believe that the misinformation and disinformation that were spread on social media by these influencers and podcasters is their real problem in this election, one of the many,”,” Hostin said on Wednesday.
Why are they qualified to speak directly to the president in the White House briefing room and tell the world what is happening? she continued. You had to have a journalism degree and credentials in order to work as a White House correspondent or to be in that briefing room, so I guess the trend toward mediocrity is on the rise!
