White House Hosts First Influencer Briefing Under Trump Administration

[KENNEDY FELTON]

Monday marked a first wrong nan White House—a briefing that’s usually reserved for journalists was opened to a much modern benignant of media.

“This is our first charismatic influencer briefing present astatine nan White House.”

It’s a displacement from relying solely connected bequest media outlets, thing nan Trump management has been unfastened to since taking office. By inviting influencers, nan White House is tapping into nan platforms wherever galore Americans now get their news—social media.

“The Trump White House will speak to each media outlets and personalities.”

While welcoming caller voices, nan management has fought pinch bequest outlets—most precocious nan Associated Press. After refusing to adopt nan president’s directive to rename nan ‘Gulf of Mexico’ nan ‘Gulf of America,’ AP reporters were barred from awesome White House events, moreover aft a national tribunal ordered entree to beryllium restored.

In January, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced a caller “media seat” successful nan beforehand row, usually reserved for White House staff, making abstraction for much outlets successful nan briefing room.

Monday’s impermanent database included contented creators, governmental commentators, and societal media personalities—many pinch larger, right-leaning followings. Arynne Wexler, who brands herself arsenic “Just a nonlib woman successful a crazylib world,” was nan first to remark and inquire her question.

“And I tin attest to nan deportations successful Florida. My Uber drivers yet speak English again, truthful convey you for that.”

Wexler’s comment—like galore questions during nan event—centered connected hot-button issues for illustration transgender rights, immigration, and taxes. Critics opportunity nan questions were overwhelmingly favorable to nan Trump management aliases gave Leavitt room to beforehand its policies unchallenged.

Sean Spicer, erstwhile Trump White House Press Secretary, commented: “A batch of conservatives will inquire me, ‘Why does he beryllium down pinch group for illustration Terry Moran of ABC aliases Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic? What is nan rationale down that? Rewarding group who person very vehemently expressed disdain for him personally?’” Leavitt responded: “Because nan president is unafraid.”

One influencer, Kambree Nelson, asked Leavitt straight for instruction connected really to screen news: “I’m not nan header news girl. I’m nan nuts-and-bolts, I’m nan policy-type nerd; truthful what guidance do you counsel maine to spell into? Like nan White House files that y’all nonstop retired each azygous day?”

Leavitt answered successful part: “I wish location were group successful nan bequest media that were for illustration you and didn’t attraction connected nan sensationalist headlines but really cared astir nan facts.”

Leavitt was met pinch applause arsenic she closed nan briefing, thanking nan participants for their time. While it’s unclear really often these events will happen, it marks a caller strategy to link pinch audiences beyond nan accepted property corps.