The Trump administration is shaking up the media landscape by stripping the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) of its long-held control over press access. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday that the administration will now decide which outlets cover the president at exclusive events, ending the WHCA’s monopoly over the process.
For decades, the WHCA has determined which journalists are allowed into the most high-profile spaces, such as the Oval Office and Air Force One. That arrangement, which often favored legacy media, has now been replaced with a system that opens the door for a broader range of outlets.
A group of DC-based journalists, the White House Correspondents' Association, has long dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the President of the United States.
Not anymore.
Today, I was proud to announce that we are giving the power back to the people.
Moving… pic.twitter.com/PkNui6Qleu
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 25, 2025
Members of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) erupt into laughter when asked about far left wing violent attacks on Trump supporters.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) February 25, 2025
Leavitt confirmed that traditional television networks will still be present at White House events but stated that new platforms, including streaming services and independent media, will now have access as well. She emphasized that the decision is about breaking up the concentrated control legacy media has held over the flow of information from the administration to the American people.
Here's why this is earth-shattering news: Former White House Correspondent @ChanelRion did a video exposing how the WHCA illegally infiltrated the White House and operates like a criminal cartel.pic.twitter.com/C8U5nSftOF
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 25, 2025
The decision follows a legal battle between the Associated Press and the Trump White House. The AP recently sued after being denied exclusive access, arguing that it had a right to privileged spaces. A federal judge rejected the lawsuit, reaffirming that access to the White House is a privilege, not a guaranteed right.
Membership in the White House Correspondents Assoc is determined by a 9 member board from:
MSNBC, CBS, Politico, Bloomberg News, Getty, Fox, Reuters, BBC, and ABC News.
The approval process is closed door & entirely secretive.
The Trump WH is right to break up the cartel.
— Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) February 25, 2025
The WHCA and mainstream media outlets have responded with outrage, accusing the administration of attempting to control the press. However, Leavitt pushed back, saying that the move ensures all journalists — not just those approved by a select group — have an opportunity to cover the president.
This is the President of the "non-partisan" White House Correspondents Association. Always nice to grab a manicure before going on MSNBC to bash Trump. pic.twitter.com/PyQlRh1IH0
— MAZE (@mazemoore) February 26, 2025
The administration’s decision also comes after the AP refused to adopt the White House’s new designation of the “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico.” The AP’s refusal led to its temporary exclusion from certain press events. Despite complaints from media figures, the administration insists that this is a step toward a more balanced and fair press environment.
