The Trump White House plans to take control of briefing room seating, traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association, aiming to reflect “modern media consumption.” Major outlets may lose front-row spots to make room for newer voices, though no outlets are being banned.
WHCA president Eugene Daniels criticized the move as a threat to press independence, saying presidents shouldn’t choose who covers them.
Meanwhile, Trump called on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to claw back millions in taxpayer funds given to Politico and a group linked to Stacey Abrams. The White House confirmed it’s canceling Politico contracts, calling the spending “wasteful.”
The shift signals a broader push to reshape media access and federal spending.
