Staff Reports
The legacy media has spun tales of impending doom since Donald Trump was reelected, roiling in fear that Trump 2.0 would obliterate the “norms” that have governed the political landscape for decades. These norms, conveniently left unchallenged and largely unexamined, have favored the left for far too long. Now, as the grip of these archaic traditions slips, it becomes evident that a shake-up in Washington is long overdue.
Take the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) as a prime example. Established in 1914, the WHCA has been the gatekeeper of the press corps, wielding tremendous influence over which media voices get to report from the inner sanctum of power. Its stated mission to uphold the principles of a free press may sound noble, but the reality is that the organization has been a bastion of leftist narratives and progressive agendas. Currently led by figures from places like Politico and CBS News, the WHCA conspicuously lacks conservative representation, which raises questions about their commitment to ‘diverse’ journalism. Sure, they recently added a member from Fox News, but this token gesture hardly changes the complexion of a body long dominated by liberal ideologues.
Recent events have turned the tables in this ongoing battle for press access. The Associated Press (AP), a longtime member of the establishment press, found itself on the outs after insisting on calling the area commonly known as the Gulf of Mexico by its new, politically correct moniker—the Gulf of America. Rather than altering their approach to fit the new paradigm, the AP opted to file a lawsuit for access to the White House press pool. This misguided move backfired spectacularly, resulting in a judicial slapdown from District Judge Trevor McFadden, who affirmed that the White House possesses the authority to decide who gets in for interviews and who gets left out.
The ruling, heralded by the Trump administration, reaffirmed that access to the President isn’t a constitutional entitlement for journalists—it’s a privilege that can be revoked at the discretion of the White House. The administration reiterated that journalists should count their blessings for being granted the opportunity to engage with the President rather than assume it’s a birthright. This sets a precedent that reminds the corporate press of their place in the hierarchy of power.
Trump White House Obliterates Another DC 'Norm' by Stripping Correspondents' Assoc. of Historic Role #Republican #GOPhttps://t.co/KiD45mcxIO
— Redicate (@redicate_com) February 25, 2025
The fallout from the ruling has left the WHCA fuming. Their cries of censorship and pleas for independence from a “free press” have a hollow ring when juxtaposed against the silence from the same association during the Biden administration’s purging of the press passes for 442 reporters. There is nothing more telling than the WHCA’s sudden concern for press freedom when their own stronghold is threatened.
By stripping the WHCA of its gatekeeping authority, the Trump White House knocks down a long-standing power structure that allowed media elites to dictate the narrative. The message is clear: the era of media dominance is waning, and those who cling to outdated traditions will have to adapt to survive in a transformed political landscape. The new order emphasizes accountability and the democratization of access, much to the chagrin of the press elite who are accustomed to playing by their own rules. It seems the days of unquestioned privilege for the liberal media are numbered, and a new chapter has begun, where the tables have finally turned.
