Donald Trump may ban traditional media from White House briefing room, suggests his son

In a recent discussion on his podcast Triggered with Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect’s son revealed that his father had considered banning mainstream media journalists from the White House press briefing room.

Trump Jr. shared insights from a conversation he had with his father during a recent flight, suggesting that the White House could potentially open the briefing room to podcasters and independent journalists, including figures like Joe Rogan.

The topic came up when Daily Wire political commentator Michael Knowles posed the question of whether it was time to “take away” the seats traditionally held by mainstream media in the briefing room. “I wonder now, as your father is assembling his team, as maybe (the incoming White House press secretary) Karoline Leavitt is looking at the new press briefing room chart, maybe it’s time to reorder that chart and maybe take away some people’s seats,” Knowles said, as per a report in the Independent.

Trump Jr. responded, breaking what he called “some news.” “We had the conversation about opening up the press room to a lot of these independent journalists,” he said.

“If the New York Times has lied, they’ve been averse to everything, they’re functioning as the marketing arm to the Democrat party, why not open it up to people who have larger viewerhips, stronger followings?”

Trump Jr. went on to elaborate that this idea came up during a conversation with his father while flying back from a SpaceX launch with Elon Musk. “We were talking about the podcast world and some of our friends and Rogan and guys like you,” he explained.

The potential shift in who occupies the briefing room was tied to frustration with how the mainstream media has treated the Trump family. “Given how the media has behaved,” Trump Jr. said, “we’re thinking about different options.”

However, logistical concerns remain. While the concept of allowing podcasters with large followings into the White House press room is being considered, Trump Jr. acknowledged that the feasibility of podcasters like Rogan attending daily briefings—especially given his base in Austin, Texas—was still uncertain.

This conversation is part of a broader pattern where Trump and his allies have repeatedly criticized traditional media outlets, particularly The New York Times, which he has referred to as “failing.” In a Truth Social post, Trump called for an apology from The New York Times for what he called its “junk” coverage, singling out correspondent Maggie Haberman.

The report further pointed out that the Trump campaign has historically courted young male voters through engagement with YouTubers and “bro” podcasters, many of whom are highly popular with Gen Z and supportive of Trump’s MAGA movement. During the 2024 campaign, Trump appeared on several podcasts, including those of the Nelk Boys, Theo Von, and Logan Paul. His appearance on Rogan’s podcast, which reached nearly 40 million people, further cemented his connection with younger, tech-savvy voters.

Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office on January 20, with the inauguration scheduled to take place at the US Capitol. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are expected to attend the ceremony.