The White House has started a new initiative to engage with social media influencers as part of its communication strategy. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt launched the first "influencer briefing," targeting individuals with significant followings on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This move reflects a broader strategy to embrace new media channels and reach audiences who consume news through non-traditional outlets. Leavitt emphasized the administration's recognition of changing media consumption habits, noting that many Americans now turn to social media for news. She stated that the White House aims to include a diverse range of voices in its communications, suggesting that traditional media no longer holds exclusive access to information. However, the selection of influencers for these briefings has drawn scrutiny. Of the 25 influencers who participated, almost all have a history of supporting former President Donald Trump or have connections to his administration. Some attendees have previously worked for Trump's administration or maintain personal ties with Trump and his inner circle. This has sparked criticism from some quarters, accusing the administration of favoritism and sidelining traditional media. The White House, represented by Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr, defended the initiative, arguing that the legacy media is upset about losing its monopoly on information flow. The administration insists that it is merely adapting to new media landscapes and ensuring broader access to White House communications. Joe Biden's administration also engaged with influencers during his presidency, inviting over 100 content creators to discuss various issues. However, the current administration's approach appears more focused on engaging with pro-Trump media and influencers. This has raised concerns about the potential for bias and the exclusion of critical or independent voices from these briefings. In the inaugural briefing, well-known figures such as former Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who has a substantial following on social media, participated and asked questions about Trump's legislative priorities. Other influencers, like Link Lauren