The Evolving White House Press Briefing

In the beginning of a new administration, the media almost immediately focuses on the White House Press Briefings. Briefings seem to be an easy way for journalists to analyze the effectiveness of the current administration. However, it has not always been this way. The White House was not a distinct storyline for journalists until the late 1800s, and the position of press secretary was not established until 1929. Press briefings were not done on television until President Kennedy’s administration. In our current political climate, the press secretary is a crucial part of a president’s administration. It is heavily scrutinized and typically one of the only windows into life in the White House.  

While it undoubtedly has an important role in modern politics, the function of the press secretary changes alongside each administration. Before the age of mass media, press briefings were one of the only ways for the public to learn about the White House and the news. Now, people can get information from anywhere, so the role of the press secretary is not to necessarily give the news but to share the president’s opinion on the news. 

Each press secretary has a unique approach to running the briefing room, and therefore reflects their administration. Some press secretaries are known for being calmer and more cool-headed, while others have more of a temper. Similarly, some tend to have more adversarial relationships with the press and others tend to be more friendly. The White House is not required to hold regular press briefings nor are they required to have them televised or invite particular journalists. However, most press secretaries tend to hold daily conferences, with the most recent exception being the Trump administration, which once went over 300 days without a press briefing. 

It may be unsurprising to note that the press briefings changed drastically under the Trump administration. Sean Spicer, Trump’s first press secretary, was known for having an extremely adversarial relationship with the press, often making false or misleading statements from the podium. Trump’s press briefings ushered in a new dynamic between the press and the White House. However, the main change in briefing style can be observed by the contributions of Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. According to a study done by the American Presidency Project, Sanders not only held fewer and shorter briefings than her predecessors, but they were also much more contentious than those held in the past. The Trump administration’s relationship with the press, represented by the nature and frequency of the press briefings, can be characterized as hostile, aggressive, and inconsistent. 

With the Biden administration underway, we are able to learn more about how Jen Psaki, Joe Biden’s press secretary, conducts her briefings and reflects the administration. Psaki immediately started off by portraying herself as a level-headed, honest, and calm figure. She also seems to be trying to return to a sense of consistency in her briefings, saying that she would conduct daily briefings on her first day. Psaki is known for being a bit more sarcastic and at times having contentious yet light-hearted exchanges with the press. Psaki conducts press briefings more similarly to those before the Trump administration, yet figments of the Trump administration remain entrenched in the press relations. Thus far, questions are tending to focus less on policy and more on personality and lifestyle of the President. Psaki has more room to be sarcastic and aggressive without attracting attention from the media. After four years with absent or ambivalent press secretaries, reporters are welcoming the change to a more regular format but remain cautious. While much more similar to the pre-Trump than Trump era, Psaki’s press briefings showcase remnants of a strained media relationship. 

With media and information being more widely available, some are arguing that the role of the press secretary is becoming obsolete. However, I think it is taking on a new role. Rather than sharing the news unbeknownst to the audience, the press secretary is now serving to share the opinion of the president. In the age of mass media, this is an incredibly important position. Considered to be a reliable source, the press secretary is now challenged to share the truth and dispel misinformation. 

Looking towards the future, it is unclear whether the press briefings will return to the pre-Trump normalcy or take on a new significance of their own. Perhaps a new style of briefing is taking form, not only as a reaction to the Trump administration, but rather as a result of a longer pattern stemming from the availability of media and information. It will be interesting to see if future administrations will choose to continue the institution of press briefings. But for the time being, it remains a fundamentally important part of the modern media.

Lydia Sidrys ‘24 studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. She can be reached at lydiasidrys@wustl.edu.