White House to Expand New Media Seat, Says Zacharia

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White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia has confirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding the new media seat, a move that has been a key part of the Trump administration’s communication strategy. During her first press briefing, Zacharia addressed questions from Breitbart News Washington Correspondent Nick Gilbertson, who sat in the newly designated new media seat.

Continuing the Legacy of New Media Inclusion

“One of the things that your predecessor Karoline Leavitt did is open this room up to more voices, not less,” Gilbertson asked Zacharia. In response, Zacharia praised her predecessor’s work and affirmed the White House’s intention to keep and expand the new media seat. “We are absolutely going to keep it, and we’re going to expand on it to the extent possible,” she said.

Zacharia emphasized the importance of embracing new media, stating, “We love new media, and we want to be able to embrace it.” This statement reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to adapt to the evolving media landscape, which has seen a significant shift from traditional news outlets to digital platforms, podcasts, and social media.

Historical Context and Public Response

The new media seat was introduced during the second term of President Trump, when former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the initiative to give a voice to new media outlets that had been overlooked by previous administrations. Leavitt also mentioned the restoration of press passes to 440 journalists whose credentials had been revoked by the Biden administration.

“Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media, and other independent outlets,” Leavitt noted at the time. This shift in media consumption patterns was a key factor in the administration’s decision to include new media voices in its communication strategy.

Public Engagement and Future Plans

Following the announcement in January 2025, the White House received over 7,400 new media requests within a single day, highlighting the strong public interest in this initiative. Zacharia’s comments during her first briefing indicate that the administration is not only committed to maintaining the new media seat but also to expanding its reach and impact.

As the White House continues to navigate the complexities of modern media, the inclusion of new media voices remains a central part of its communication strategy. With the evolving media landscape and the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the administration’s efforts to engage with a broader range of voices are likely to continue in the coming months.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Connor Davis