The influencer administration - Post Reports

Summary

Post Reports: The Influencer Administration
The Washington Post
Released on March 19, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Post Reports, hosts Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi delve into the Trump administration's transformative approach to media and communication. Titled "The Influencer Administration," the episode explores how the current White House leverages social media, influencers, and partisan outlets to control its narrative and diminish the influence of traditional media. Through expert interviews and insightful analysis, the episode sheds light on the implications of these strategies for American democracy.

Key Discussions

Trump Administration's Social Media Strategy

The episode opens with a discussion led by tech reporter Drew Harwell, who highlights the administration's shift from traditional press operations to a dynamic social media-centric approach. Selena Gomez (likely a pseudonym for a guest expert) explains:

"They're using social media really aggressively. They are all offense all the time. Basically, they're flooding the zone. They want to be on social media. For every talking point, they want to be hammering home their talking points."
[03:03]

Gomez further elaborates on specific examples, such as the White House's use of ASMR videos to depict deportations and satirical content like the "Trump Gaza" video, which juxtaposes light-hearted ASMR elements with serious immigration enforcement visuals.

"It's men standing on a tarmac with ICE agents... the weird jarring effect of this very kind of vibey ASMR video archetype mixed in with people being forced out of the country."
[04:15]

These tactics aim to engage audiences by blending viral internet formats with political messaging, thereby reaching a broader and more diverse online demographic.
Evolution of Presidential Communication

The hosts discuss the evolution of presidential communication strategies, comparing the Trump administration's current methods to those of previous presidents. Gomez notes:

"Trump has been pretty savvy in terms of how he's used the technology of the day to own the narrative... now that team is basically spinning that up for a new generation, a new presidency."
[07:28]

The administration's use of platforms like X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk's ownership allows them to disseminate messages rapidly and widely, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers.
Exclusion of Traditional Media Outlets

A significant portion of the episode addresses the administration's contentious relationship with established media organizations. Colby Ikowicz explains the recent removal of the Associated Press (AP) from the White House press pool:

"The Associated Press is a wire service... when Trump issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, the Associated Press... said, we can't just unilaterally change the name... as a result, the White House said that the Associated Press would lose its spot in the press pool."
[18:02]

This move allows the White House to exert greater control over which media outlets receive direct access to presidential communications, favoring those aligned with its agenda.
Introduction of New Media Seats

To replace traditional media representation, the administration has introduced new media seats for independent journalists, podcasters, and social media influencers. Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, introduces these new participants:

"We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House."
[20:36]

Guests such as John Ashbrook and Sage Steele exemplify this strategy, posing supportive questions and participating in positive photo opportunities with the president. This approach ensures that the press briefings are populated with voices that amplify the administration's messaging rather than challenge it.
Steve Bannon's Insights

Longtime Trump adviser Steve Bannon provides critical commentary on the administration's media tactics:

"This is taking back control. This is the White House taking control. Right. And not allowing the mainstream media to set the agenda, which they've always done."
[01:53]

Bannon further describes the administration's media consumption as a "made for TV drama," emphasizing the theatrical and controlled nature of their communications.

"The Trump show is mesmerizing."
[13:06]
Impact on Democracy

The episode concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of these media strategies for American democracy. Colby Ikowicz raises concerns about the erosion of the traditional press as a watchdog:

"This effort to kind of undermine that sort of unofficial fourth pillar of democracy is sort of very much part and parcel of Trump trying to knock down any kind of opposition to his power."
[28:30]

Communications professor Renee Hobbs is cited, highlighting the administration's efforts to replace mainstream media with a partisan press that can shape reality more effectively in the digital age.

"This is an effort to replace the mainstream press with a partisan press that will function as the new 'purveyors of reality'."
[30:36]

Notable Quotes

Selena Gomez on Social Media Aggression:

"They're mixing the viral Internet stuff you would see with political talking points..."
[05:25]
Steve Bannon on Media Control:

"The Trump White House is a channel... generating first person, as you see it, content."
[26:56]
Colby Ikowicz on Democracy and Media:

"This is an effort to replace the mainstream press with a partisan press that will function as the new 'purveyors of reality.'"
[28:30]

Conclusions

"The Influencer Administration" offers a comprehensive analysis of how the Trump administration has revolutionized its communication strategy by harnessing the power of social media and influencers. By sidestepping traditional media channels and fostering alliances with partisan outlets and content creators, the administration effectively controls its narrative and minimizes dissenting voices. This strategic shift not only redefines presidential communication but also poses significant challenges to the foundational pillars of American democracy, particularly the role of the press as an independent watchdog.

As the episode underscores, the fusion of political messaging with viral internet content represents a formidable evolution in governance and public discourse. The long-term implications of this trend warrant close scrutiny, especially concerning the balance between executive power and democratic accountability.

Additional Information

For those interested in further exploring this topic, Post Reports recommends listening to related episodes and subscribing to The Washington Post for more in-depth journalism and analysis.

Transcript

Colby Ikowicz (0:00)

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Drew Harwell (0:31)

A couple of weeks after Donald Trump took office for the second time, the actress Selena Gomez posted a tearful video on Instagram.

Colby Ikowicz (0:39)

I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry.

Drew Harwell (0:44)

Gomez says she's sorry about Trump's new, harsher immigration policies, in particular that children are getting deported. Children. Now you can imagine a version of this story. During the first Trump administration, Trump may have shot off an angry tweet about the actress and the whole thing would have likely just been bad PR for the White House. But this time, the White House fired back with a highly coordinated response its own video. Seeing that video, it's hard to believe that it's actually genuine and real.

Sarah Ellison (1:17)

Because she's an actress.

Drew Harwell (1:19)

You don't know who you're crying for. Mothers of children killed by undocumented immigrants. Watch and criticize Gomez and praise Trump. They didn't cry for our daughters. No one has stood up except for us mothers to cry out about our children.

Colby Ikowicz (1:36)

I am so happy that Trump won.

Drew Harwell (1:39)

Selena Gomez took her post down. The second Trump White House has a new media team and a new, more aggressive communication strategy. Here's longtime Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

Steve Bannon (1:53)

This is taking back control. This is the White House taking control. Right. And not allowing the mainstream media to set the agenda, which they've always done.

Drew Harwell (2:07)

From the newsroom of the Washington Post, this is Post Reports. I'm Colby ICHOWITZ. It's Wednesday, March 19th. Today, how the White House is controlling its own narrative. I talk with my colleagues Sarah Ellison and Drew Harwell about how the administration is using social media and partisan outlets to stifle dissent. Some experts say they could even end up shaping how we understand reality. We start with tech reporter Drew Harwell. So, Drew, we already heard the Selena Gomez example. I'm hoping you can break down how the Trump administration is using social media differently this time. You've reported that they have basically turned the traditional White House press shop into an influencer shop using official government accounts. So what is this new social media philosophy?