On Monday, a revolution happened in the White House briefing room: Ruthless podcast co-host John Ashbrook was invited to ask the very first question of the day to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Last week, Leavitt shook things up by inviting “new media” to apply for a seat in these critical briefings for the American press. Bloggers, podcasters, social media influencers and others can now be invited to attend White House briefings in person and ask questions. While some were quick to criticize, the decision shows that the Trump administration understands the substantial value of digital creators for the next generation of media.
The internet as a tool has revolutionized communication, opening the door for the average person at a low cost to learn, voice their opinions and interact with others. More people than ever are consuming content through it, with 86% of Americans in 2024 telling the Pew Research Center that they either “sometimes” or “often” get news through digital devices.
In the past, editors at newspapers and magazines mostly controlled the press circulation, often creating high barriers to entry. Today, anyone with access to the internet and a digital device can explore content creation on the services of their choosing, allowing creativity to flourish like never before. Of course, there are trade-offs with this type of democratization, but America’s founders held the strong belief that free, lawful speech and press is good—and that it is actually critical for the appropriate functioning of our government.
“The media” as an institution holds an important role in all of history, as reporters document the happenings of their time and often hold the powerful accountable. The creation of the printing press in the 15th century amplified the ability of the media to communicate with more people. In the United States, a free and open press was a key part of our nation’s founding, with many different newspapers and periodicals sharing the information of the day and circulating opinions— for, against and everything in between—the revolution. While the British government tried to suppress the circulation of dissenting opinions, obviously, they failed. Shortly after the U.S. Constitution was ratified, the Bill of Rights codified protections for the free press. They were seen as so important that they were included in the First Amendment.
Today, however, Americans’ dissatisfaction with our modern, “mainstream media” has dramatically increased. According to a 2024 Gallup poll, “For the third consecutive year, more U.S. adults have no trust at all in the media (36%) than trust it a great deal or fair amount. Another 33% of Americans express ‘not very much’ confidence.” No matter the underlying cause, it’s clear Americans do not believe most of the current press establishment is reporting the news relevant to us fully, accurately and fairly.
And as consumers flee these institutions, they are seeking alternative media sources to get their news and views—often through digital mediums like podcasts, social media, independent and smaller outlets, freelance journalists and more.
During the 2024 election, President Donald Trump embraced these new, digital creators like we’ve never seen before. Not only did the President harness the power of his own social media company, Truth Social, to communicate directly to his audience, but he went to emerging creators like podcasters to amplify his message, instead of relying on the mainstream media’s spin.
Other conservatives have also been killing it while using digital services, with commentator Ben Shapiro launching his own media company, the Daily Wire, and others like Ruthless and the Megyn Kelly Show focusing on building out podcast audiences. Even traditional journalists without a specific ideological stance are breaking free of the current news establishment, like renowned DC correspondents Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman launching Punchbowl News and former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss starting The Free Press.
And rather than operate under the rules of established newsrooms, many individuals are choosing to freelance on their own while using digital tools to gain a following. Creators can determine what mediums they use to share their content that work best for their style—from podcasting to video production, to plain old blogging or posting written content to social media companies like X, Reddit, Bluesky and Truth Social.
Not only does the internet democratize speech, news and reporting, but it allows people to find their own creative niche and experiment.
Leavitt’s decision to invite new media to the White House is a critical step forward for the future of the American press. It grants freelancers more access to better sourcing and increases the opportunity for digital creators to hold government officials accountable. Consumers are increasingly demanding this shift, and only time will tell how the mainstream news industry adjusts to the new reality.