The White House press office claims to have received over 7,400 requests for press credentials after announcing its “new media” seat in the briefing room, which is open to alternative media, podcasters, and online influencers. The swarm of applications came within the first 24 hours of the announcement, which was made during the first press briefing given by President Donald J. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, on January 27.
Leavitt described the new seat, saying it would be open to those who do not have permanent press credentials for the White House and would be rotated among applicants who qualify to attend White House briefings.
