Report: Trump Administration Planning a Major Press Briefing Change That Will Infuriate Mainstream Media Outlets

The incoming Trump administration reportedly plans to expand access for pro-MAGA outlets in the White House press briefing room, a move that might reduce space for some traditional news organizations — likely sparking discontent among established media.

Axios reported that the James Brady Press Briefing Room has 49 seats, currently occupied by representatives from various print and broadcast media.

“The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) oversees seating arrangements, but press credentials are determined by the White House,” Axios noted, meaning an outlet could be credentialed without securing a seat in the room.

Typically, front-row seats are held by outlets like NBC News, Fox News, CBS News, The Associated Press, ABC News, Reuters, and CNN, as noted by The Washington Post in 2022.

A review of the seating chart reveals that while most seats are occupied by left-leaning outlets, some conservative voices such as Fox News, Fox Business Network, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Newsmax, Washington Examiner, and The Daily Caller are also present. These conservative outlets represent about 10 of the 49 seats — roughly one-quarter. Given President-elect Donald Trump’s previous conflicts with mainstream media, he may push to increase conservative representation to around half of the available seats.

Notably absent are some prominent pro-MAGA outlets, including Breitbart News, The Daily Wire, One America News, and Real America’s Voice, home to Steve Bannon’s “War Room.”

In addition to press room changes, another question is who Trump’s new press secretary will be. During his first term, he had two prominent press secretaries: now-Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany.

Reports suggest Trump may consider Alina Habba, an attorney who has frequently spoken to the press while representing Trump in various legal matters over the past two years. When asked about the position on Fox’s “Hannity,” Habba stated, “I leave it to the president” and her three children to decide. She added, “Everybody will know in time.”

Host Sean Hannity pressed further, asking, “If you were asked to serve in that role or any other role, would you?” Habba responded, “I am very loyal to President Trump. I would think about it, very seriously.”

Another contender is Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who served as assistant press secretary under McEnany in the previous administration, according to CNN.

Others reportedly being considered, as noted by The Hill, include conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings and Trump campaign advisors Steven Cheung and Jason Miller. Axios reports that Cheung, formerly a senior communications officer with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, may instead take on a less-visible role as White House communications director.