President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning significant changes to the White House Brady Press Briefing Room, aiming to diminish the influence of legacy media outlets while creating opportunities for non-traditional platforms like podcasts and internet-based news organizations.
This idea gained traction following comments from Donald Trump Jr. during a conversation with Michael Knowles.
Knowles inquired whether Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, was considering reordering the seating chart in the press briefing room, potentially displacing some legacy media outlets.
“I literally had this conversation with — I was flying back, I was on the plane with my father, I think it was coming back from the SpaceX launch with Elon [Musk] last week. And we were talking about the podcast world and some of our friends and Rogan and guys like you,” Trump Jr. said, according to Breitbart.
He added that his father responded positively, saying, “‘That’s a great idea, Don.’ … So that may be something in the works.”
The Brady Press Briefing Room accommodates only 49 credentialed members of the press, with seating determined by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).
While the White House itself grants press credentials, it is the WHCA that allocates the coveted spots within the room.
During Trump’s first term, he clashed with the media frequently. In one high-profile incident, CNN reporter Jim Acosta had his press credentials temporarily revoked after a heated exchange with the president.
Following legal action from CNN, Acosta’s access was restored, highlighting the contentious relationship between Trump and the traditional press.
This time, Trump appears intent on reshaping the dynamic entirely by integrating voices from emerging media platforms. His campaign and post-election plans emphasize the role of podcasts and online creators, signaling a shift away from the dominance of legacy media in shaping public discourse.
Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance actively engaged with podcasts throughout the campaign, including appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan, a leading voice in the podcast world, later endorsed Trump, bolstered by Elon Musk’s own appearances on his show.
Jason Miller, a press strategist for Trump, credited Trump’s youngest son, Barron, with recommending numerous podcasts to feature during the campaign. “Hats off to the young man,” Miller said in October. “Every single recommendation he’s had has turned out to be absolute ratings gold that’s broke the internet.”
In the wake of the election, Elon Musk, who is co-chairing Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), shared his thoughts on the changing media landscape. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Musk declared, “The reality of this election was plain to see on X, while most legacy media lied relentlessly to the public. You are the media now. Please post your thoughts & observations on X, correct others when wrong, and we will have at least one place in the world where you can come to find the truth.”
The proposed restructuring of the White House press briefing room signals Trump’s commitment to amplifying new voices and reshaping the flow of information in Washington, emphasizing the growing influence of digital-first platforms.