White House Press Corps Draws Scrutiny After Zelensky Meeting with Trump

The Trump administration has actively sought to alter the press corps to align with its interests, a fact underscored during a recent event involving President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Veteran correspondents expressed frustration as a MAGA influencer dominated the questioning, allowing Trump to dodge challenging inquiries or uncomfortable moments. Instead, the questions largely served as platforms for Trump's talking points."This scenario, especially before foreign dignitaries, is profoundly embarrassing," one correspondent lamented. “These inquiries aim more at provoking confrontations or flattering Trump than pursuing journalism.”Traditionally, the White House Correspondents’ Association managed the press pool's composition, but the Trump administration took control in February, enabling it to include pro-Trump media while sidelining established news agencies.In the Oval Office, Peter Doocy of Fox News and Brian Glenn, a pro-Trump commentator, engaged with Zelensky, who cleverly noted Glenn’s attire when questioning him about his prior outfit choice—a clear nod to their previous exchanges. (By Gage Skidmore: Wikipedia Commons)