White House Holds Meetings with Conspiracy Theorists, Ex-Trump Administration Officials, and a Personal Acquaintance in their 'Influencer Briefing' Series
A New Approach in the White House
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried something fresh in her recent briefings - engaging with social media influencers and independent media figures. Instead of merely addressing credentialed journalists in the historic White House briefing room, she decided to hold separate meetings with 10 selected individuals.
"In this day and age, millions of Americans are getting their news from digital platforms and independent media outlets, and we're embracing this change, not ignoring it," Leavitt elaborated during her introductory remarks. "All journalists, outlets, and voices have a seat at our table now, and your presence here for this briefing is proof of that."
However, as the briefings unfolded, it became evident that the chosen influencers belonged to a specific group of individuals who had previously shown support for the current administration or had connections to President Donald Trump and his family or Cabinet members.
Of the 25 influencers identified by NBC News, only one appeared to be less aligned with the Trump administration's narrative. Critics on the left have criticized these briefings for excluding opposing viewpoints and featuring creators with a right-leaning slant. Conversely, influential right-wing figures have expressed dissatisfaction for not including hardcore Trump supporters like Laura Loomer.
Meanwhile, Kaelan Door, the White House Deputy Communications Director, clarified the reason behind these exclusive briefings, stating, "The legacy media is furious that information flow is no longer exclusive to them. We will always find ways to connect with people outside the traditional outlets." Marking a shift from earlier practices, even Joe Biden's administration engaged with digital influencers during his presidency, inviting over 100 content creators to discuss various issues at one point.
Despite the controversies surrounding these briefings, it seems the Trump administration is determined to tap into the growing influence of social media personalities as a means to disseminate its message and bypass the perceived bias of traditional media outlets.
Enrichment Data:
The White House's "influencer briefings" represent an innovative strategy that prioritizes partisan media engagement, especially those favoring Trump’s political camp. Here are the underlying reasons and repercussions:
Origins and Format:Initiated by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on April 28, 2023, influencer briefings aim to sidestep conventional journalists, focusing on digital talents, YouTubers, and Trump-oriented commentators. Leavitt justified this as an attempt to adapt to how a growing proportion of Americans is tuning into digital platforms for their news consumption.
Strategic Implications:
- Bypassing Mainstream Media: The administration legitimizes this move as a reaction to tensions between Trump and news outlets such as the Associated Press (AP), who recently clashed over terminology (such as describing the Gulf of Mexico). By prioritizing digital influencers, the White House can bypass critical questions while promoting favorable narratives.
- Favoring Conservative Perspectives: These briefings predominantly feature MAGA-aligned influencers, providing a platform for softball questions and adulation, reinforcing echo chambers as content is tailored for sympathetic audiences.
- Long-term Changes: Traditionally reserved seats for traditional press staff have been reallocated to nontraditional media earlier in 2023, indicating a long-term reshaping of the institutional landscape.
Controversies:Critics argue these briefings undermine journalistic standards by marginalizing objective reporting. The administration's selective approach towards media outlets raises concerns about transparency and fairness, despite being legally allowable. Proponents argue that this democratizes media access beyond traditional gatekeepers. This course of action serves as a reflection of a broader trend among political figures leveraging digital platforms to control messaging in the age of fragmented media trust, with implications for press freedom and public discourse still up for debate.
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is adopting an innovative approach in her briefings by engaging with social media influencers and independent media figures, a move aimed at adapting to how many Americans consume news through digital platforms.
- The influencers chosen for these briefings predominantly belong to a specific group supportive of the current administration, provoking criticism from the left for excluding opposing viewpoints.
- Departing from earlier practices, the Trump administration is determined to tap into the growing influence of social media personalities as a means to bypass perceived bias in traditional media outlets.
- This new strategy of prioritizing partisan media engagement, especially among influencers favoring Trump’s political camp, has raised concerns about transparency and fairness, with implications for press freedom and public discourse still up for debate.
