Much to the dismay of legacy media outlets like The New York Times, the Trump administration has opened its afternoon press briefings to members of the so-called “new media”—a group that includes popular YouTubers, podcasters, and social media influencers who have become go-to news sources for many Americans disillusioned with traditional outlets.
Until January, the White House briefing room held 49 seats, reserved for correspondents from major mainstream organizations. Other journalists without assigned seating typically lined the perimeter, hoping for a chance to ask questions.
In a notable shift, the Trump administration added a 50th seat, in the front of the room, specifically designated for a representative from the new media. According to The Times, whoever occupies this seat is called on first during the briefings.
Clearly, the old guard resents the presence of the new media. The tone of the excerpt below from a Times article makes that sentiment unmistakable:
In the briefing room, officials have made room for a new cohort of more partisan attendees, like right-wing podcasters, who often ask less-adversarial questions than traditional journalists. …Longtime White House reporters say the result has been an erosion of their independence. They say the increased attention toward pro-Trump media personalities, who rarely challenge the administration’s talking points, has undercut the briefings as a space to relay accurate information to the American public and hold the president to account.
Natalie Winters, the White House correspondent for Steve Bannon’s War Room, is a member of the new media. According to Townhall’s Matt Vespa, Winters has not exactly been welcomed with open arms by members of the press corps. She’s even “been criticized for her attire … in a media narrative that resembles Mean Girls.”
In the condescending and cringeworthy exchange below, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan approaches Winters outside the White House to ask her if she’s a real journalist.
“To the people, and I’m sure you see this online every single day,” O’Sullivan says with a smile,”who say, ‘You don’t deserve to be here cause you’re not a real journalist,’ what’s your response to them?”
Without missing a beat, Winters replied, “I’m pretty sure the group of people in there spent, what was it, four years covering for someone who was essentially dead, and that’s being charitable. … So for all those people who are apoplectic over having new media voices, you guys failed. That’s why we’re here.”
Beyond the rudeness of O’Sullivan’s question, his lack of self-awareness was truly remarkable. Not sure if O’Sullivan is a real journalist either. The only other time I encountered him online was during his hard-hitting interview with Taylor Lorenz, in which she gushed over alleged murderer Luigi Mangione, describing him as a morally good man.
Wildly popular conservative podcaster Tim Pool occupied the 50th seat during Tuesday afternoon’s press briefing which, of course, allowed him to ask the first question.
Many of the news organizations that are represented in this room have marched in lock step on false narratives, such as the ‘very fine people’ hoax, the Covington smear, and now, what’s being called the ‘Maryland man’ hoax. Where an MS-13 gang member adjudicated by two different judges I believe, is simply being referred to as a ‘Maryland man’ over and over again.Now in an effort from the White House to expand access to new companies, you’ve created this new media seat. So, I’m wondering if you can comment on – following this expansion, you’ve had numerous outlets disparage the companies … reporters.”I’m wondering if you can comment on that unprofessional behavior, as well as elaborate on if there’s any plans to expand access to new companies.
Unable to argue with Pool’s substance, the legacy media responded first by criticizing his clothing. He showed up at the briefing wearing a beanie and a hoodie. Apparently, Pool had called out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not wearing a suit to his Oval Office meeting with President Trump last month.
Pool defended himself in an X post. He responded, “No Harry you don’t get it. I intentionally did not dress up for these dirty dirty smear merchants. When I met Trump, I wore a suit.”
Other responses to Pool’s appearance at the White House press briefing were hostile as well. The Daily Beast ran the sneering headline, “MAGA Podcaster Goes Full Suck-Up in First White House Press Briefing,” while the left-leaning podcast The Majority Report with Sam Seder mocked his performance with the title, “Tim Pool Struggles Asking Questions at WH Press Briefing.”
Over the past decade, legacy media has plummeted from its once-lofty perch, as years of dishonesty have finally caught up with it. Liberal cable networks like CNN and MSNBC have experienced sharp declines in viewership, while readership for newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post has dropped dramatically.
They can continue to dismiss the new media all they like, but until they come to terms with the need to report the truth, their audiences will keep shrinking — and they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on LinkedIn or X.
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