White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first briefing on Tuesday. Photo: Mike Allen/Axios
Before turning to questions during her first briefing Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she’s opening two chairs down front in the storied James S. Brady Press Briefing Room to “independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators.”
Why it matters: It’s a callback to President Trump’s successful campaign emphasis on unconventional outlets. And it modernizes a format that’s been little-changed in 30 years — since Mike McCurry, press secretary to President Bill Clinton, started allowing his briefings to be televised.
Two seats along the wall next to the podium — which used to be occupied by White House press and communications staff — have been opened to “new media voices” that don’t have assigned seats.
- The seats’ first two occupants were Mike Allen of Axios and Matt Boyle of Breitbart.
- “Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from blogs, social media and other independent outlets,” Leavitt said. “It is essential to our team that we share President Trump’s message everywhere and adapt this White House to the new media landscape.”
🎤 Between the lines: Leavitt, 27, a New Hampshire native, is the youngest person ever to be named White House press secretary. She’s the sixth working mother in a row to hold the post, AP notes.
📝 Being there: Leavitt brought down the temperature in the room, compared with the past Trump administration. After calling on the two new-media reporters, she turned to the front row of networks and wire services. So she made the new seats additive, without smashing the room’s traditions.
- She greeted many of the correspondents by name (mentioning their joint memories from rallies), and allowed follow-ups.
She didn’t bring a big binder — just a few sheets of paper.
