On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt kicked off her first briefing with a major shift in how press briefings would be conducted.
Leavitt introduced an exciting change: two seats usually reserved for White House staff will now be designated as ‘new media’ seats.
The twist? The individuals sitting in these seats will get to ask the first questions during briefings.
Traditionally, the first question has always been given to the Associated Press, with the White House Correspondents’ Association assigning seats in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
But with this change, the briefing will take a new direction, giving a voice to fresh media outlets.
The First Questions: A New Dynamic
At Tuesday’s briefing, Axios’ Mike Allen was called on first, followed by Matthew Boyle from Breitbart.
Boyle, known for his long tenure as a political correspondent at the right-wing news outlet once led by Steve Bannon, also got his turn to ask questions.
This new approach marks a break from the typical lineup, bringing new voices to the forefront.
Restoring Press Passes for Journalists
Leavitt also made headlines with her announcement that 440 press passes, which had been “wrongly revoked” by the Biden administration, would be reinstated.
This decision signals a clear effort to bring transparency and accountability to the administration, particularly regarding the press’s access to critical information.
A Historic Moment for Leavitt
Leavitt made history on Tuesday as the youngest person ever to hold the role of White House press secretary, at just 27 years old.
Her appointment marks another milestone: she is the eighth woman to step into this influential position, with a notable increase in female representation among press secretaries in recent administrations.
Under President Trump, three of his four press secretaries were women: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who went on to become the governor of Arkansas, Stephanie Grisham, and Kayleigh McEnany.
President Biden continued the trend, appointing Jen Psaki and Karine Jean-Pierre to the role.
Leavitt’s Background and Rise
Hailing from New Hampshire, Leavitt has had a diverse career.
She interned for Fox News and worked as an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany during Trump’s first administration.
Leavitt also ran for Congress in 2022, hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional district.
She won the Republican primary but ultimately lost in the general election.
In January 2024, she became the national press secretary for Trump’s campaign.
Just months later, on November 15, 2024, Trump announced her as the press secretary for his second administration.
A Delayed Start
Although Leavitt had already started her work, such as gaggling with reporters aboard Air Force One, she waited eight days into the administration to hold her first briefing.
This slight delay is a bit longer than previous press secretaries, like Jen Psaki, who briefed on inauguration day, or Sean Spicer, who infamously declared that Trump’s inauguration had the “largest audience to ever witness an inauguration.”
A Personal Milestone
Leavitt’s journey to this role hasn’t just been about politics.
She also became a first-time mother during the 2024 campaign, giving birth on July 10, just days before Trump was shot at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
She’s also married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer.
What’s next for Leavitt? Her role as press secretary will likely be one to watch as the administration moves forward, with her breaking new ground both professionally and personally.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn