A new Trump administration is expected to challenge long-standing traditions in the White House Press Briefing Room, Axios reports, with plans that could significantly alter the media landscape inside one of the most high-profile spaces in Washington, D.C., and the world. Sources close to President-elect Trump suggest that his team is considering changes that would prioritize newer politically aligned voices, potentially reshaping the way the White House interacts with the press.
The move signals a continuing effort by the Trump team to disrupt traditional media dynamics, favoring outlets that favor the former president’s base over established mainstream media organizations that have often taken an adversarial and hostile tone towards him and his supporters. During his first term, Trump and his staff frequently clashed with major news outlets, and all indicators point to his second administration continuing in a similar vein. This shake up will likely spook establishment media, and could force them to rethink their coverage of the administration, leading to a major shift in how the White House press pool is selected and how information is disseminated to the public.
Sources suggest that some media executives running MAGA-aligned news outlets are already planning to apply for press credentials to attend daily briefings. This would open up access to networks and publications that have historically been kept at arm’s length by the White House press office.
For decades, the White House press briefings have been an important channel for communication between the administration and the public, with seating in the iconic James Brady Press Briefing Room typically reserved for reporters from major national outlets like CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, and The Associated Press. These outlets, often referred to as the “mainstream media,” have had a seat at the table for daily updates from White House spokespeople and press secretaries for decades.
Historically, the most visible seats near the front of the room have been reserved for major TV networks that broadcast live footage of press briefings. Any attempt to bring in new outlets would likely mean squeezing out some of these longstanding members of the press pool.
In Trump’s first term, the administration tried to ban outlets such as The New York Times, Politico, CNN, and the BBC from attending off-camera press briefings. Trump’s campaign in 2024 has already shown signs of restricting access to reporters from outlets it deems unfavorable.
These moves reflect a trend in which Trump has increasingly turned to alternative media channels to communicate with his base, including podcasts, social media influencers, and conservative digital news outlets. If these outlets gain access to the White House press briefings, it would be a significant departure from longstanding practices in Washington.
Currently, the White House Press Briefing Room seats 49 reporters, representing a wide variety of outlets, including print, online, and broadcast news organizations. If Trump’s team decides to expand access to more MAGA-aligned media, outlets like Steve Bannon’s War Room or conservative streaming services could be given priority, potentially pushing out traditional media outlets.
What we have seen -actually throughout our so-called “Free World”- is an information practice which would better described as “JOURNAILLE”
-a not exactly friendly but appropriate double word made up from ‘Journal’ (= Daily) and ‘Canaille’ (= Crook) – which is, of course, also a “1984” term.
The last event before this practice was firmly established throughout NATO, ANZUS, and every other connection was presumably in My Lai.
If anyone still remembered that: A reporter came up with a story AND PICTURES showing a war that was rally not what we had been told before
– AND THE WAR CAME TO AN END! (partly also because a helicopter crew took the reporter away from that crime scene – and likely “friendly fire”!
THIS WAS WHEN WASHINGTON LEARNT THAT NEWS CAN BRING DOWN POLITICS, PLANS AND GENERAL PUBLIC APPROVAL!
IT BECAME THE CREED OF THE “DEEP STATE” AND WE’VE BEEN LIVING WITH THE CREED OF 1984 EVER AFTER!
{even if someone did not like (and there wee some – but not many) the caves and dungeons of the “Deep State” are very deep}
Bannon should be Press Secretary! Unlike current bobble head, he knows the stuff, doesn’t need to look up staff-prepared lies in a binder. Very knowledgeable, can debunk false premises and answer questions truthfully (Press not gonna like that!) and spontaneously. No need to “circle back”. As with Trump himself, Bannon willing to take questions from anyone, no reporters banned for not being administration-friendly. it’s called Free Speech.