White House Flooded With Thousands of Requests After Opening to ‘New Media’
January 31, 2025
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A senior White House official confirmed to Newsweek that the administration has been flooded with over 7,400 requests for the “new media” pass over the first 24 hours since it was announced on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has frequently used the phrase “fake news” to dismiss typically unfavorable news reports. He has said he is “providing a great service” by calling out news outlets while suggesting the media is causing division and distrust.
Part of Trump’s success in his 2024 presidential campaign comes from his use of “new media,” specifically social media platforms, like X and Truth Social, as well as podcasts. He used these platforms to connect with younger voters, particularly men. This strategy was reportedly influenced by Trump’s youngest son Barron.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Social media applications X, instagram, LinkedIn,… White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Social media applications X, instagram, LinkedIn, discord, reddit, Threads, Facebook on smart phone screen.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/hocus-focus/Getty Images
What To Know
At her first news conference on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced a “new media” pass to welcome bloggers, podcasters, social media influencers and others into the press room.
“The Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room, because according to recent polling from Gallup, Americans’ trust in mass media has fallen to a record low,” Leavitt said. “We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House.”
The senior official did not directly respond to Newsweek about whether people with “new media” passes can be expected at the press conference on Friday at 1 p.m. EST.
She had said a front-row seat at the briefing room would be reserved for a member of the “new media.”
Leavitt had also shared at the press conference on Tuesday that the President Donald Trump administration would restore media credentials to the 440 journalists who lost their privileges during the former President Joe Biden administration.
The Press Secretary said the move was done as polling shows trust in “legacy media” outlets continues to dip. According to Gallup polling published on October 14, 36 percent of U.S. adults have no trust at all in the media. An additional 33 percent said they do have “not very much” confidence in the media.
Opinions around how accurately and fairly the news is reported also falls along partisan lines. Gallup found that 54 percent of Democrats, 27 percent of independents and 12 percent of Republicans say they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media.
What People Are Saying
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the press conference on Tuesday: “Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media, and other independent outlets. It’s essential to our team that we share President Trump’s message everywhere and adapt this White House to the new media landscape in 2025.”
Far-right radio show host and conspiracy theoristAlex Jones on X: “I have been invited to come next week. Should I go to DC?”
What’s Next
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to hold a conference on Friday, January 31 at 1 p.m. There are to be many others in the future throughout the Trump administration, when “new media” pass holders will surely be in attendance as well.
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