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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'New media' seat at White House briefings shakes up establishment with alternative to 'archaic' press
The "new media" seat at the White House has shaken up press briefings as the Trump administration aims to reach Americans who don't rely on what it calls "the archaic White House press corps" for information. The "new media" seat is the brainchild of press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who felt legacy media essentially had a monopoly over coverage of the White House. No seats were taken from anyone, as the designated seat to the right of the lectern is where White House staffers or guests traditionally sat along the side of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. Nowadays, the seat is filled by new and emerging voices who typically get introduced by Leavitt before being called upon for the first question of the briefing, which traditionally went to the Associated Press under previous administrations. Ex-cnn Journalist Speaks Out On Biden Cover-up, Says White House Aides Made It Difficult On Press Some of the "new media" seat's occupants, such as Axios' Mike Allen and 2Way's Mark Halperin, are longtime D.C. insiders who currently work for upstart organizations, while others, like "Unbiased Podcast" host Jordan Berman, wouldn't have sniffed the briefing room under previous administrations. "The legacy media's charade of inclusivity has been exposed by their resistance to allow emerging voices into the press briefing room. Americans have found new ways to digest their media—and we cater to the people, not the archaic White House press corps," assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App The "new media" seat has also faced criticism, largely from legacy outlets, and some of the occupants have been criticized for lobbing softball questions at briefings or heaping praise on Leavitt and the president. But White House insiders believe negative coverage of the opportunity for new voices is proof that traditional outlets are scared to relinquish control of the briefing room. Ruthless Podcast co-host John Ashbrook occupied the seat in January and asked Leavitt if the legacy media was out of touch with the border crisis. He embraced his role as an outsider in the briefing room despite what he called "eye rolls and smirks" from traditional journalists. "Every dirty look from legacy media was wiped away when they had to write down the news made in response to the question I asked," Ashbrook told Fox News Digital. While Ashbrook used his lead-off question to prompt criticism of the press, other "new media" seat occupants have asked about such topics as transgender athletes, artificial intelligence, the economy and foreign policy. Podcast Host Says He Received 'Eye Rolls,' 'Smirks' From Reporters During White House Briefing Debut "Timcast IRL" host Tim Pool has been one of the more polarizing occupants of the seat. When Pool was announced as the seat holder last month, the move was swiftly criticized by mainstream reporters. New York Times reporter Ken Bensinger reminded his followers on X that Pool was tied to a Tennessee-based media company accused of receiving money from Russia (Pool has denied any wrongdoing), while a USA Today reporter took issue with his signature beanie cap. Pool, who has 2.4 million followers on X, said he noticed "snooty looks" from some legacy reporters and "disdain" for his presence on social media following the opportunity. "All they've done in that press room is march in lockstep with each other, all reporting the same falsehoods, the same angles, the same manipulations. There's no curiosity. The questions they largely ask are predictable. And yet, if any other company wants to come in, it's a whiplash, it is an attack, it's vitriol. They're acting more like high school teen girls than professionals," Pool told Fox News Digital. Pool said that during the Biden administration, White House reporters from liberal, mainstream outlets were largely not curious or intentionally tried to obfuscate facts and details to push a political ideology. He's thrilled that Leavitt has shaken things up to offer a break from the "faux adversarial questions" that liberal reporters asked during the Biden administration. "There needs to be an attempt to create competition in the journalistic space so that we're not getting the same worldview from every single reporter," Pool said. "Naturally, they're upset by the competition. But all I see is, with the new media personalities coming in, they're largely on the other sides of the political spectrum, but even then, they're not in complete agreement on everything." "I do think this is a great step forward in bringing in new voices with different perspectives, which is what diversity was supposed to mean," he continued. "It was an honor and a privilege." White House Reporters Respond After Being Called Out For Weak Coverage Of Biden's Decline At Whcd The "new media" seat has also been occupied by The Bulwark's Andrew Egger, Breitbart's Matt Boyle, podcaster Sage Steele, Rumble's Chris Pavlovski, X's John Stoll, Semafor's Shelby Talcott, The Daily Wire's Mary Margaret Olohan, "Breaking Points" co-host Saagar Enjeti, Townhall's Katie Pavlich, Merit Street Media's Lyndsay Keith, NOTUS reporter Jasmine Wright, Matthew Foldi of the Washington Reporter, Punchbowl's Brendan Pedersen and Blaze Media correspondent Chris Bedford, among others. Reporters from outlets such as the AP, CNN, Reuters, ABC, CBS, NBC, USA Today, The New York Times, NPR, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal and Fox News have assigned seats at White House press briefings, while reporters from smaller outlets stand along the crowded perimeter of the room. Leavitt explained why she has taken a different approach to the media during a May 5 appearance on "Hannity." "It's because President Trump has revolutionized media and the way Americans consume media. He started this on the campaign when he opened the campaign to social media influencers and podcasters, and he was willing to take that nontraditional media route. We've continued that effort at the White House," Leavitt said. Former Obama press secretary Jay Carney even praised Leavitt's changes to the White House press operation. "I think it's important to recognize the media landscape has changed, to bring in new voices, to shake things up," Carney said at an ROKK Solutions event last month when asked about the new media seat. "I think that's admirable," Carney continued. "Everybody can learn from that."Original article source: 'New media' seat at White House briefings shakes up establishment with alternative to 'archaic' press
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
John Ashbrook, Comfortably Smug, & Michael Duncan: Was Defense Secretary Hegseth Targeted? The Real Story Behind The Pentagon Leaks
Story #1: Will is joined by the Co-hosts of the 'Ruthless Podcast' , Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook, for a conversation on why the media is committed to smearing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who the Democrats will rally behind in 2028, and why they have chosen some of the most unsavory characters to defend. Story #2: Will breaks down recent Supreme Court oral arguments where local Maryland school board officials defended very odd sexual stories being taught to elementary school students. Plus, what is going on with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX)? Story #3: The Crew prepares for the NFL Draft & creates 2 sports Mt. Rushmores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump White House policy to ignore reporters using pronouns in emails brings praise and harsh criticism
Even email signatures are getting caught up in the culture wars. The Trump White House habit of dismissing reporters who use pronouns in their email signatures has stirred both support and criticism from journalists and observers. The New York Times put a spotlight last week on the White House press office refusing to respond to emailed questions from reporters who display their pronouns, saying they deny "biological reality" and can't be trusted to report with integrity. Other media relations figures at other government agencies gave similar responses to those who display their pronouns. The decision for individuals to list them – for example, He/Him for a man or They/Them for someone who is transgender or doesn't identify as male or female – is often criticized as unnecessary virtue-signaling to promote the false notion of multiple genders beyond the male-female binary, while proponents say it's respectful to people of all identities. Trump Press Secretary Doesn't Engage With Reporters Using Pronouns In Emails, Says They Deny Reality The White House has the policy in place because "any reporter who chooses to put their preferred pronouns in their bio clearly does not care about biological reality or truth and therefore cannot be trusted to write an honest story," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App The Daily Wire's White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olahan said she supported the administration's stance. "Pronouns in your bio is an overtly political statement, and about sexual preference too! Wildly inappropriate for anyone in a professional context," Olahan told Fox News Digital. "Also, they can answer whoever they want," Olahan continued, adding she was often ignored or simply got a "catty" response from the Biden White House when asking for comment. John Ashbrook, a co-host of the Ruthless Podcast who sat in the "new media" seat for a recent press briefing, didn't seem bothered. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Prays Before Facing Reporters "No White House has ever been more transparent out of the gate," Ashbrook told Fox News Digital. Another White House correspondent said the situation was "amusing" and wasn't sure how hard and fast it was as a policy, noting most reporters who cover the White House can simply approach Leavitt or other members of the press office and get an answer in person. They also noted reporters are more likely to use text messages or Signal than email anyway. Another White House correspondent shrugged they had "no clue" what to make of the press team's stance on pronouns. The New York Times disparaged the policy in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying it was an excuse for evasion. "Evading tough questions certainly runs counter to transparent engagement with free and independent press reporting," a spokesperson said. "But refusing to answer a straightforward request to explain the administration's policies because of the formatting of an email signature is both a concerning and baffling choice, especially from the highest press office in the U.S. government." Andrew Bates, who served as President Joe Biden's deputy White House press secretary, said the Trump team was trying to divert attention from economic difficulties. "That's the Trump White House admitting how weak he is after shattering his top economic promises with the biggest middle-class tax hike in modern history," he told Fox News Digital. "The subtext is, 'So I know my tariffs are raising the everyday prices I ran on lowering and hollowing out you 401(k)s – but will you shut up and be happy if I randomly push a few reporters around?'" Cnn's Anderson Cooper Corrected By Questioner For Using Wrong Pronouns During Bernie Sanders Town Hall Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall believes the White House would be smart to worry about more important things, as pronouns are "not a kitchen table issue" in American homes. "For the White House to single people out on that, I just think it's a bad look," Marshall said last week on "Outnumbered." At least one Washington Post reporter recently received replies from White House officials despite listing their pronouns in their signature, the Post reported last week. The Trump administration has focused on gender identity issues throughout his second term, signing executive orders banning transgenders from being in the U.S. military, barring trans women from competing in women's sports and removing gender identity language throughout the federal government. Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this article source: Trump White House policy to ignore reporters using pronouns in emails brings praise and harsh criticism
Fox News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump White House policy to ignore reporters using pronouns in emails brings praise and harsh criticism
Even email signatures are getting caught up in the culture wars. The Trump White House habit of dismissing reporters who use pronouns in their email signatures has stirred both support and criticism from journalists and observers. The New York Times put a spotlight last week on the White House press office refusing to respond to emailed questions from reporters who display their pronouns, saying they deny "biological reality" and can't be trusted to report with integrity. Other media relations figures at other government agencies gave similar responses to those who display their pronouns. The decision for individuals to list them – for example, He/Him for a man or They/Them for someone who is transgender or doesn't identify as male or female – is often criticized as unnecessary virtue-signaling to promote the false notion of multiple genders beyond the male-female binary, while proponents say it's respectful to people of all identities. The White House has the policy in place because "any reporter who chooses to put their preferred pronouns in their bio clearly does not care about biological reality or truth and therefore cannot be trusted to write an honest story," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. The Daily Wire's White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olahan said she supported the administration's stance. "Pronouns in your bio is an overtly political statement, and about sexual preference too! Wildly inappropriate for anyone in a professional context," Olahan told Fox News Digital. "Also, they can answer whoever they want," Olahan continued, adding she was often ignored or simply got a "catty" response from the Biden White House when asking for comment. John Ashbrook, a co-host of the Ruthless Podcast who sat in the "new media" seat for a recent press briefing, didn't seem bothered. "No White House has ever been more transparent out of the gate," Ashbrook told Fox News Digital. Another White House correspondent said the situation was "amusing" and wasn't sure how hard and fast it was as a policy, noting most reporters who cover the White House can simply approach Leavitt or other members of the press office and get an answer in person. They also noted reporters are more likely to use text messages or Signal than email anyway. Another White House correspondent shrugged they had "no clue" what to make of the press team's stance on pronouns. The New York Times disparaged the policy in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying it was an excuse for evasion. "Evading tough questions certainly runs counter to transparent engagement with free and independent press reporting," a spokesperson said. "But refusing to answer a straightforward request to explain the administration's policies because of the formatting of an email signature is both a concerning and baffling choice, especially from the highest press office in the U.S. government." Andrew Bates, who served as President Joe Biden's deputy White House press secretary, said the Trump team was trying to divert attention from economic difficulties. "That's the Trump White House admitting how weak he is after shattering his top economic promises with the biggest middle-class tax hike in modern history," he told Fox News Digital. "The subtext is, 'So I know my tariffs are raising the everyday prices I ran on lowering and hollowing out you 401(k)s – but will you shut up and be happy if I randomly push a few reporters around?'" Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall believes the White House would be smart to worry about more important things, as pronouns are "not a kitchen table issue" in American homes. "For the White House to single people out on that, I just think it's a bad look," Marshall said last week on "Outnumbered." At least one Washington Post reporter recently received replies from White House officials despite listing their pronouns in their signature, the Post reported last week. The Trump administration has focused on gender identity issues throughout his second term, signing executive orders banning transgenders from being in the U.S. military, barring trans women from competing in women's sports and removing gender identity language throughout the federal government.
Fox News
27-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
New proposed ballot measure in blue state raises eyebrows over who it's named after: 'Road side lunatics'
A proposed ballot initiative in California is named after alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione. The Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act submitted to the California Attorney General's Office would make it illegal for an insurance company to "delay, deny or modify any medical procedure or medication" that is suggested by a licensed physician in the Golden State where there could be serious consequences such as "disability, death, amputation, permanent disfigurement, loss or reduction of any bodily function," the document states. It was filed by Paul Eisner, a longtime Los Angeles-based attorney. The terms "delay" and "deny" were made popular by the healthcare book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About." The words "delay, deny, and depose" were reportedly inscribed on the casings of the bullets that killed Brian Thompson on Dec. 4. "What" Rob Pyers, research director for California Target Book, posted on X. "A proposed ballot initiative has been filed in California entitled "The Luigi Mangioni (sic) Access to Health Care Act." Actually," Los Angeles-based conservative activist Elizabeth Barcohana said. "THE LUIGI MANGIONI (sic) ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT" Seriously???? A ballot initiative about health care submitted today to the California Attorney General is named after the accused killer. Crazy," author Gerald Posner wrote. "I'm starting to suspect the Democrats in charge of California might actually just be simple road side (sic) lunatics after all," Ruthless Podcast Executive Producer Leigh Wolf said on X. Mangione reportedly faced "chronic back pain," according to Honolulu Civil Beat, and issues after a spinal procedure. "Pain in general affects our mental well-being, how we go on in our day-to-day life and function. If you're reminded of an injury in your body, and you live in pain, it can be something that really rattles you," board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Besty Grunch told Fox News Digital in December. "In this alleged circumstance, you have a 26-year-old, fit guy that has an injury and needs care," she added. "And he may reflect his pain on someone else or blame it on someone else. And [that] can escalate to a point of suicidal or even homicidal thoughts." Mangione is currently charged with murder by both New York and the federal government, and he has pleaded not guilty.
