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“The goal isn’t merely favorable coverage,” the official stated. “It’s truly an honest look at consumption [of the outlets’ coverage]. Influencers are important, but it’s tough because they aren’t [equipped to provide] consistent coverage. So the ability to cover the White House is part of the metrics.”
The official also clarified that while “major legacy outlets will still be included,” some will experience “diminished visibility compared with their customary spots in the first few rows.” The administration claims the goal is to “balance disruption with responsibility.”
Unsurprisingly, the proposed changes are stirring controversy among White House reporters, many of whom already feel uneasy about the administration’s growing role in determining which journalists gain access to the president. Critics argue that the Biden administration is strategically reshaping the press corps to silence its critics while amplifying more favorable voices.
WHCA President Eugene Daniels blasted the move, claiming it undermines press freedom in the U.S.
“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States,” Daniels said. “It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.”
Daniels, however, did not provide any concrete examples of how the Biden White House’s actions have directly threatened the independence of the press. Moreover, no media outlet has been banned from covering the administration, raising questions about the legitimacy of the complaints.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Thursday, calling for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate and recover billions in taxpayer dollars allegedly funneled to left-wing organizations and media outlets.
“Whatever happened to the $8,000,000 given by our ‘government’ to Radical Left Politico magazine, or whatever you would call it. Owned by wealthy guys, this money should be taken back by DOGE, ASAP,” Trump wrote.
He also questioned a massive influx of funds to a group linked to Democrat Stacey Abrams.
“Also, is Stacey Abrams going to give back the Two Billion Dollars they funneled into her ‘environmental fund’ just prior to my assuming office? She went from $100 in donations to $2,000,000,000 in just one day? Not bad!!! Get back the money,” Trump added.
Earlier this year, the White House confirmed that federal agencies are in the process of canceling expensive contracts with Politico after Elon Musk’s cost-cutting initiative, through the Department of Government Efficiency, deemed the expenditures “wasteful.”
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A report from the New York Post revealed that Politico had received roughly $8.4 million in taxpayer money over the past year, with government records now showing the figure adjusted to $8.2 million.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the termination of these contracts during a recent press briefing.
“I can confirm that the more than eight million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayer’s dime will no longer be happening,” Leavitt stated.
She emphasized that the DOGE team is actively canceling these payments as part of a broader government effort to scrutinize federal expenditures. “Again, this is a whole-of-government effort to ensure that we are going line by line when it comes to the federal government’s books, and this president and his team are making decisions across the board,” she said.
As the battle over press access and taxpayer-funded media subsidies intensifies, all eyes are on the Biden administration’s next steps in reshaping the media landscape.
