Vance Highlights Access in Trump Administration
During a press conference on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance emphasized the remarkable level of access provided by the Trump administration, even acknowledging that Democrats must recognize it. He began the event by addressing Breitbart News’s White House correspondent, Nick Gilbertson, with the first question.
This press conference was the first since Karoline Leavitt stepped down as White House Press Secretary. Gilbertson took a moment to acknowledge her contributions to the Trump administration, particularly her role in bringing a wider array of voices into the press pool.
Vance praised Leavitt, calling her an “amazing person” and a valuable member of the close-knit West Wing team. He recounted that she wished him good luck before the conference, humorously noting the challenges of facing the media. He expressed confidence that she would succeed in her future endeavors and thanked her for her service and friendship. He pointed out that one of her significant legacies was making the press room more accessible to non-legacy media outlets.
He pointed out that while the establishment media, often leaning Democratic, typically dominates press briefings, this reality reflects the commitment to transparency during Trump’s administration—especially in the president’s second term.
“For too long, this room and this city have attempted to exclude non-legacy media, viewing it as a threat. However, we see it as a crucial way to democratize information access,” Vance noted, suggesting that even Democrats can’t overlook the changes made.
“I don’t mean to overly praise my boss, but I truly believe this administration has become the most transparent in history, and we’ve done so with great success. If you consider the previous administration, even those in the room who lean Democratic must concede the extraordinary access to the President, Vice President, and senior officials here—it’s unprecedented,” Vance stated.
“What motivates the President to do this? It’s not merely for entertainment; although I’m sure he finds it enjoyable to some degree. He believes that part of governing in a constitutional republic involves being accessible to the American people, and that’s what we aim to do,” he concluded.
