Digital Social Hour #1491: Monica Paige - "Media Bias EXPOSED: White House Insider’s Take"

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, host Sean Kelly sits down with Monica Paige, White House correspondent for Turning Point USA, to discuss her firsthand experiences as a journalist covering both the Biden and Trump administrations. The conversation dives into topics like media bias, access to the White House, transparency differences between the administrations, and the pressure on reporters to ask meaningful questions. Monica shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, reflects on the challenge of investigative journalism in today’s political climate, and comments on headline issues like the handling of the Epstein list.

1. Media Bias and White House Access

• Monica opens by highlighting the hypocrisy in the coverage of both major parties’ treatments of the press:
  • "People want to say, oh, Trump banned the AP. Okay. But Joe Biden banned the New York Post from multiple events and we don't talk about that." (Monica, 00:41)
• She explains the differences in how the media treats administrations and access they are given.
• Notably, she asserts that the Trump administration limited Associated Press access "because they didn't deserve it, quite frankly...they don’t want to tell the truth." (Monica, 00:49)

Notable Quote:
“They’re probably looking for gotcha moments.” (Sean Kelly, 00:59)

2. Life as a White House Correspondent

A Day in the Life

• Monica describes the constant unpredictability and pressures of being on the White House beat:
  • "There is never a dull moment. There's something going on every single day...Even if there's one event...that's not the only thing that's going to be happening. So it's always good to show up every single day at like 9am. You never know what's going to happen." (Monica, 01:17)
• She shares that sometimes events are added last minute or surprise press conferences occur.

Differences Between Biden and Trump Administrations

• Monica reflects on her coverage of both presidents:
  • "I have been at the White House just about two years now...the last administration, we never saw Joe Biden. Really never." (Monica, 04:02)
• She describes President Biden as highly managed:
  • "You never see him walking up by himself, Never speaking off the cuff...masked face, garbled speech, stiffened gait." (Monica, 04:25)

Notable Quote:
"And I was looking at him, and he was just caked in makeup. And people don't really believe me when I say this...when you see him in person, it's masked face, garbled speech, stiffened gait. These are all signs that something is wrong." (Monica, 04:25)

3. The Viral "I Was the Hunted, Now I’m the Hunter" Trump Clip

• Monica shares the story behind a viral video where President Trump makes the "I was the hunted, now I'm the hunter" remark on the South Lawn.
  • She explains that spontaneous exchanges yield the best soundbites and recalls her first time in the Oval Office as a formative experience.
    (Monica, 01:51–03:54)

4. Administration Transparency and the Press

Biden’s Approach:

• Monica criticizes the Biden administration for orchestration and lack of transparency:
  • "It was all so orchestrated. Walking out with staff members...never speaking off the cuff." (Monica, 04:25)
• She claims the White House strictly controlled the President’s messages and access to journalists.

Trump’s Approach:

• By contrast, Monica believes the Trump administration allowed for more candid interactions and tougher questions from the press.

5. The Press Room: Tactics and Challenges

• Monica shares how she formulates questions for the press secretary, crediting Charlie Kirk’s social media and podcast as inspiration:
  • "I kind of use his social media and maybe his show as to kind of what he's passionate about..." (Monica, 07:41)
• She underscores the challenge of getting questions in and the strategy required:
  • "If some...you ask a question in the press briefing room...Sometimes you'll move on to the next person...There is a very interesting tactic that you have to use to make sure you get a second question in..." (Monica, 09:23)

Notable Quote:
"You know that you're doing the job American people want you to. So it's very fulfilling." (Monica, 09:39)

6. The Epstein Client List Controversy (10:10–13:02)

• Sean and Monica address public frustration over the administration’s handling of the Epstein list.
• Monica notes, "The President himself never fully promised we will release a list of the Epstein clients...When you have an administration that...wasn't prepared for the pushback of the American people, I think that's where you fall into some kind of dangerous territory." (Monica, 11:09)
• She criticizes over-promising and lack of transparency by officials and cautions about the dangers of "trial by media" for those merely associated with Epstein:
  • "Just because you were in the same company as him doesn't necessarily mean that you were involved in sex crimes." (Monica, 12:25)

7. Community & Closing Thoughts

• Monica calls for more accountability and transparency from the press and government.
• She urges listeners to proceed with caution regarding publicizing names, given how fast public condemnation can spiral.

Memorable Closing Exchange:

• "Thank you so much. You can find me on X and on Instagram @monicapage TV. And I really appreciate whatever, you know, I can do to help, and I appreciate you sharing my voice as well on your platform." (Monica, 13:05)

Key Timestamps

• 00:41: Monica on media bias and banned outlets
• 01:17: Daily life at the White House; unpredictability
• 03:54: Viral Trump Oval Office story
• 04:02: Differences in access/visibility between presidents
• 07:41: Leveraging Charlie Kirk’s topics for her interviews
• 09:39: Tactics for getting questions answered in the press room
• 11:09: Epstein client list, promises, and political fallout
• 12:25: Nuance on guilt by association in the Epstein case
• 13:05: Monica’s social accounts & signoff

Summary Takeaways

• Monica Paige provides an insider’s perspective on the shifting nature of White House press access and administration transparency.
• She believes media bias manifests as differential treatment of presidents and selective outrage over press restrictions.
• Monica explains the difficulty of being a strategic, impactful journalist in a climate where both administrations have manipulated access and messaging, but in very different styles.
• The episode closes with a discussion of the delicate handling required for hot-button issues like the Epstein client list, spotlighting the tension between public demand for transparency and the risk of unjust public shaming.

For more from Monica Paige, follow her on X and Instagram @monicapageTV.