(TheProudRepublic.com) – Ending the monopoly held by establishment media organizations, the Trump administration announced it is taking control of the composition of the daily press pool.
This week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the administration would assume direct control over which media outlets cover presidential events.
The decision marks a significant departure from past administrations that deferred to the White House Correspondents’ Association to determine press access.
The Trump administration’s move comes after a federal judge denied the Associated Press’s request to restore its access to the White House.
This judicial victory empowers the administration to reshape media coverage according to its vision rather than continuing to grant special privileges to established media organizations.
Leavitt emphasized that the change aims to modernize White House media relations and break the stranglehold of a small circle of DC insiders over presidential coverage.
Major television networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC, will maintain access, but new voices will be added.
Secretary Leavitt stated:
“It’s beyond time that the White House press operation reflects the media habits of the American people in 2025, not 1925. A select group of DC-based journalists should no longer have a monopoly over the privilege of press access at the White House.”
At the same time, the Trump administration’s plan includes incorporating emerging media outlets while maintaining legacy media participation.
This diversification strategy intends to reach Americans where they actually consume news today rather than relying on outdated distribution models.
The White House will also add streaming services to the rotation to reach broader audiences.
Predictably, the media establishment is resisting this democratization of access. White House Correspondents’ Association president Eugene Daniels expressed concern that the move undermines press independence.
For decades, the press association has wielded significant power, determining which journalists receive the privilege of White House access.
They assigned seats in the briefing room and controlled which reporters could join the daily press pool that follows the president. This system effectively allowed the media to police itself while shutting out alternative voices.
The White House defended its decision to return power to the American people by ensuring more diverse representation in presidential coverage.
While critics worry about press freedom, the administration has already been allowing more outlets into Oval Office events without facing significant opposition.
Moreover, the ongoing legal battle between the Associated Press and the White House continues, with the next court hearing scheduled for March 20.
Until then, the Trump administration is moving forward with its plan to reshape White House media coverage by ensuring Americans hear from a wider range of journalistic voices.
White House sources indicate that while changes will occur, many aspects of the press pool composition may remain intact due to logistical constraints.
This suggests a measured approach that balances new voices with practical considerations rather than a wholesale purge of traditional media.
By taking control of press access, the Trump administration is fulfilling a campaign promise to bypass media gatekeepers and speak directly to the American people through a more diverse set of channels that better reflect the nation’s varied perspectives.
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