Karoline Leavitt announced a White House press briefing overhaul, introducing a rotating “new media” seat for independent outlets, podcasters, and influencers to democratize access. She defended the move, citing declining trust in traditional media and the rise of alternative platforms, with access granted based on criteria like security clearances. Leavitt also proposed the White House press office control pool reporter selection, bypassing the
White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), and consolidating the print wire service slot into one rotating position. These changes sparked criticism from media groups, including the WHCA, who see them as threats to press independence and journalistic checks on executive power.
