White House hit with more than 7,000 'new media' press pass applications

The White House has received more than 7,000 applications for press passes after press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday that the West Wing would open the briefing room up to members of the "new media," The Hill has learned.

Leavitt, during her first briefing with reporters this week, said President Trump is ready to retool the administration around what she called “the new media landscape," including independent content creators, podcasters, social influencers and others in nontraditional media.

“As long as you are creating news content of the day and are a legitimate independent journalist, you are welcome to cover this White House," she said.

The decision comes after a campaign during which Trump largely spurned mainstream press outlets in favor of internet-based media appearances as he worked to court younger voters.

Leavitt said Tuesday she envisions a more equitable briefing room during her time as press secretary, one where she can speak to "all media outlets and personalities" from the podium.

Her first questions on Tuesday went to Mike Allen of Axios and then Matt Boyle of Breitbart.

“It’s essential to our team that we share President Trump’s message everywhere,” Leavitt said.

Current members of the White House press corps, in conversations with The Hill ahead of Inauguration Day, described a feeling of uncertainty and annoyance at the proposed changes to the briefings and press procedures during Trump's second term.

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