White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House on Jan. 28. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took on a combative tone with the media at her first press briefing Tuesday, vowing to hold them accountable for telling the truth.
Why it matters: Tuesday’s press briefing offered the first glimpse of how the new Trump administration plans to shape its relationship to the media as it presses forward with revamping the federal government.
The big picture: Leavitt said the new Trump White House would prioritize nontraditional media outlets in the media briefing room.
- These “new media” outlets — like podcasters, independent journalists and social media influencers — will now be able to apply for White House press credentials.
- Leavitt also lauded the changes as in line with the Trump administration’s openness, calling Trump the “most transparent and accessible president in American history.”
Between the lines: Leavitt’s tone echoed Trump’s longtime hostility towards many legacy media outlets.
- “We know for a fact that there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets about this president,” Leavitt said.
- Instead, Leavitt committed to “telling the truth from this podium every single day,” and said the White House would “call out” media outlets for pushing any perceived misinformation.
Go deeper: Trump ramps up legal threats against news outlets
