In a move that’s sparking significant controversy, the White House is preparing to take charge of its press briefing room’s seating chart, potentially breaking with decades of tradition and creating a stir among the liberal media.
This decision could reshape the way reporters and media outlets access the White House and could be a major shift in the balance of power between the administration and the press.
Karoline Leavitt at the Center of the Change
At the heart of this change is Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old White House press secretary, who has become a prominent conservative figure.
Leavitt is set to lead the charge in implementing this new policy, which, for the first time in modern history, will allow the White House to dictate where reporters sit in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, a role traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).
The seating arrangement is particularly important, as the 49 seats in the briefing room are limited, and legacy media outlets such as CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC have traditionally secured front-row seats.
Under the new plan, however, these prominent organizations may find themselves further back in the room, as more space is being allocated to newer, more digital-oriented platforms.
A Shift in Media Landscape and Influence
The White House’s plan is part of a broader push to modernize media access in line with today’s media consumption habits.
Senior White House officials argue that media outlets should be evaluated based on their current audience reach, rather than historical prestige.
This shift means that well-known legacy outlets might not have automatic front-row privileges.
Instead, newer digital platforms like Punchbowl News, Axios, or even individual influencers may secure prime spots in the room.
A senior White House official explained to Axios that it’s not about favoring certain outlets but about recognizing how media has evolved.
“It’s about acknowledging the media landscape today—not as it was decades ago,” the official said.
Essentially, media outlets now need to prove their value based on their audience size and engagement, rather than relying on their established names.
Tensions Between the White House and Legacy Media
This move is just the latest chapter in an ongoing feud between the Trump administration and the press.
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly referred to certain members of the press as “enemy of the people,” and his administration has used various tactics to control how and when media access is granted.
The Associated Press, one of the most respected news outlets globally, was banned from the White House press pool in February after it refused to adopt new terminology mandated by President Trump, including changing “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.”
The AP has since filed a lawsuit arguing that its exclusion jeopardizes its operations, although a judge has not yet ruled in favor of reinstating the agency.
White House Pushback and WHCA’s Response
The WHCA has traditionally managed the daily press pool and seating arrangements, ensuring a balanced and independent approach to media access.
However, with the new shift, their role in these decisions is diminishing.
In response to the looming changes, some WHCA members even discussed the possibility of rewriting the association’s bylaws to make the White House press secretary, currently Leavitt, its president.
While officials acknowledged this suggestion, they were skeptical about its feasibility.
Despite these shifts, White House officials insist that traditional news organizations won’t be excluded from the briefing room entirely, though their privileged front-row positions might be a thing of the past.
The administration is framing this as a “balance of disruption with responsibility.”
Leavitt’s Role and Media Strategy
For Karoline Leavitt, this decision is part of a broader strategy to reshape White House communications.
Leavitt has been a staunch defender of Trump and has often been unapologetically combative with the media, making her an increasingly controversial figure.
Critics argue that her focus on favoring right-wing media outlets and sidelining traditional media is an effort to undermine institutions that have clashed with the administration, especially during Trump’s return to power.
For journalists who have long enjoyed front-row access to the White House, this shift could feel like a significant blow, especially as the media landscape continues to evolve.
As tensions between the White House and the press continue to rise, Leavitt’s leadership could further intensify the battle over media access and influence in the coming years.
A Continued Battle for Control
This fight for control over the briefing room is just the latest manifestation of the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and the Washington press corps.
With Leavitt leading the charge, the White House’s communications strategy is becoming more combative, with a clear goal of shaping the narrative and controlling the flow of information.
As this new seating policy takes effect, it’s clear that the dynamics of White House press access are changing, and the media may never look the same again.