The shake-up to the briefing room came after President Donald Trump used independent media and appearances with influencers and podcasters on the campaign trail to win his second term in the White House. In the 24 hours after the announcement, the administration received 7,400 requests for credentials from new media, a White House official confirmed to the Washington Examiner.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt opened her first briefing before the press by announcing the policy change and letting two reporters from “new media” ask the first questions during the news conference. Leavitt said the Trump administration will “welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House.”

The seats in the briefing room are assigned by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which works with the White House for press access to the administration, but Leavitt said the “new media” seats will be on the side of the room, which the White House has control over.

“It’s essential to our team that we share President Trump’s message everywhere and adapt this White House to the new media landscape in 2025,” Leavitt said at the briefing Tuesday.

Leavitt also said the White House would restore the credentials of 440 journalists whose press passes were revoked during the prior administration.

The White House press secretary did not say how often there would be press briefings but vowed that Trump is “incredibly accessible.”

“So, look, the president is the best spokesperson that this White House has, and I can assure you that you will be hearing from both him and me as much as possible,” Leavitt said.