The White House press corps is once again bracing for the challenges of covering another Trump administration, this time with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office after the strings of events leading to this transition. Journalists are already feeling the strains of what promises to be another intense period as they prepare for rapid developments and potential conflicts with the incoming administration.
Having experienced the hustle of the last Trump term, many correspondents recall it as all-consuming. Peter Baker, the White House correspondent for the New York Times, shared insights about the demanding nature of covering such significant news. He noted, "Anybody who went through it the last time remembers how nonstop it was. It ends up kind of becoming all-consuming and taking over your life. It wears you down."
The early days of Trump’s second term have not disappointed those expecting a whirlwind of activity, with Trump quickly setting the pace with notable policy and cabinet nomination announcements. It’s already causing exhaustion within the press corps, who are likely all too familiar with the rapid-fire news cycles he tends to create.
Julia Manchester, who covers national politics for The Hill, described Trump as someone who thrives on unpredictability, adding to the feeling of déjà vu among journalists attempting to navigate this transition. “It was right to the fire with this transition, with the Cabinet picks. I think outside of the press corps, the country itself was feeling burnt out,” she noted.
Besides the anticipated nonstop drama, reporters are also expressing concern about the dynamics between Trump's team and the press moving forward. Notably, Meredith McGraw from Politico highlighted the need for outlets to avoid reacting to every statement from the president. She stated, "News organizations will likely be less 'hair on fire' when reporting on every single Trump post and will instead be thinking bigger-picture about stories."
The shift signifies journalists' recognition of the importance of maintaining their own mental health and coverage balance. Reporters are gearing up, acknowledging they have to be discerning about what warrants coverage and what does not, hoping to strike some equilibrium between pressing news and unnecessary sensationalism.
Equally, concerns have surfaced about potential conflicts between Trump and the media. Some reporters fear they could be excluded from the White House briefing room altogether, and Baker mentioned the possibility of continuing coverage from outside those traditional confines. He asserted, “If Trump kicks us out of the White House briefing room... then fine, we’ll still cover from the outside. We’ll take on the challenge as it develops, but I don’t think we’re going to shrink from it.”
This new administration will also arrive with substantial lessons learned. It’s widely recognized now by the press corps and Trump's team alike, they’ll leverage the established dynamics between news organizations and reporters, and how the media operates. There’s speculation on how this knowledge might influence their interactions.
It’s also clear as the press prepares for another round of scrutiny, this may prove to be even more complex than the previous administration. One could argue this unpredictability is not just limited to what Trump may announce or the policies he may push; it extends to how the media will choose to engage with each moment.
The press corps's outlook, fueled by the fatigue from the last Trump administration, seems to suggest they’re bracing for whatever storms lie around the corner. With the lessons learned from the previous stint, many journalists are equipped to take on the coming months, but it remains unclear just how well prepared anyone can be for the chaos and surprises expected from Trump's presidency.
This new chapter promises to be one of high stakes—testing the resilience and adaptability of White House reporters who have already demonstrated their stamina. They’ll need to navigate both the persistent demands of the story and the political climate surrounding it, reflecting on how to keep the public informed without getting swept away by every surge of news.
