As Donald Trump continues his mission to guide America down the path toward his anti-democratic brand of authoritarianism, his administration underlings are faithfully carrying out his directives in a manner that is familiar to students of tyrannical regimes throughout history.
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Prominent among Trump’s team of neo-fascistas is his Politburo Chief, Karoline Leavitt, whose commitment disseminating propaganda would make Goebbels proud. She has been a devoted advocate of transforming the role of press secretary into a clearing house for Trump’s official falsehoods and MAGA evangelism.
SEE THIS: Trump’s Press Secretary Plans to Turn the WH Briefing Room Into a Pro-Trump Propaganda Mill
On Tuesday Leavitt told reporters about her intention to allow members of “new media” to apply for White House press credentials. by that she means the sort of MAGA friendly Internet influencers that Trump relied on to spread his dishonest campaign messages last year. She said that…
“I take great pride in opening up this room to new media voices to share the president’s message with as many Americans as possible. In doing so, number one, we will ensure that outlets like yours, Axios and Breitbart, which are widely respected and viewed outlets, have an actual seat in this room every day. We also, again, encourage anybody in this country, whether you are a TikTok content creator, a blogger, a podcaster, if you are producing legitimate news content, no matter the medium you will be allowed to apply for press credentials to this White House.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces that members of "new media" can apply for White House press credentials:
"Whether you are a TikTok content creator, a blogger, a podcaster, if you are producing legitimate news content … you will be allowed to apply." pic.twitter.com/eEuBIJTGwh
— The Recount (@therecount) January 28, 2025
This would be a good time to remind everyone that in Trump World Joe Rogan and Alex Jones produce “legitimate news content.” So Leavitt would permit crackpots like that to take the seats of credible journalist that Trump doesn’t like, such as Jim Acosta who was just elbowed out of CNN by executives who are partial to, or afraid of, Trump.
SEE ALSO : Jim Acosta’s Parting Words for CNN (and Trump): It Is Never a Good Time to Bow Down to a Tyrant
Leavitt, however, neglected to note that it is not within her duties as press secretary to decide who gets to attend the White House press briefings. While the White House Press Office does authorize access to the White House itself, reporters need to be accredited by the independent White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) and pass a background check by the Secret Service. Something tells me that Alex Jones, and others of his ilk, would have difficulty meeting either of those criteria.
So it took eight days into Trump 2.0 before Leavitt finally held her first press briefing from the White House. And it surely didn’t disappoint those who were expecting a free-flowing festival of partisan flackery. Despite her stated commitment to “telling the truth from this podium every single day,” she lied repeatedly, including in her promise to tell the truth “every single day,” since she’s only been at that podium one day so far.
Among Leavitt’s lies were those that addressed Trump’s halting of federal assistance and grant programs, his inhumane mass deportation plans, his non-existent initiatives to lower consumer prices, his vengeful revocation of security for former government officials, his illegal firing of inspectors general and Justice Department officials, his inflationary tariffs, and his absurd claim that he sent the military to California to turn a magic faucet that would get the water flowing.
Michael Kosta of “The Daily Show” was among those watching Leavitt’s debut performance. And he couldn’t help but notice her attitudinal shift from campaign flack to White House hack. He presented a video clip demonstrating how she has moved forward from her prior role as a Biden basher…
Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt kicked off her tenure by hosting The Roast of Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/x6tmjOzgQ6
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 29, 2025
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Considering that God Moronikus’s pathologically lying propaganda mistresses during his first Tyrancy included Stephanie No-Relation-To-John Grisham and KayLies McInane-y, it appears we now must recognize that Caroline Leave-It-To-My-Master is worse than they are.
And none of the KKKult cares since she’s exactly what they’ve always wanted. [Not to mention always calling Karine Jean-Pierre anyway, which she wasn’t.]
I support the suggestion for a reporters’ boycott to show solidarity about Free Press and opposition to punitive opinion-based bans. I suggest that it be a demonstration and not a negotiation. Waiting for Trump to be reasonable means that the boycott might never end. Declare that for, say, three days reporters representing major media will not be there to publicize the whims of an authoritarian leader and that they will use the usual news time and space to articulate democratic norms concerning the press and sum up what is already known about the new administration. This might give the leader a jolt, if he and his appointees do not get to control the content of the daily news cycle. He needs the press, whether he is self-aware or not.
Leavitt actually said that it is a privilege, not a right for the press to be there asking questions.
I agree that Trump “needs the press,” despite his constant whining about it. However, I don’t think that Trump would be moved by a “demonstration.” He would just continue his abhorrent behavior. And if “Waiting for Trump to be reasonable means that the boycott might never end,” that would be a huge plus and a reason to do the boycott. A Trump-free press forever! 🙂