Media Column: The White House Press Corps Got Played

Trump broke the old rules. Legacy media blinked. Now the WHCA is powerless, and the outsiders are in.

WASHINGTON — Our nation’s capital is emptying out fast now that President Donald Trump has returned as its center of gravity. The place still hums with activity, but the buildings feel lonelier than ever.

Voice of America. PBS. NPR. Publicly funded outlets have always had a target on their backs. The ones that push back—trailblazing or not—tend to draw the most fire.

If you sit in the big chair and you’re holding a big stick, there’s a lot you can do, especially if you're not inclined to let the rules stop you.

Congress bickers. Trump might even enjoy the show, apart from the part where he needs them to sign off on funding.

And the courts? Sure, they can issue rulings—but they need the executive to carry them out. If he chooses to ignore them? Let the lawyers figure it out. Trump has been in and out of countless courtrooms over the decades. He knows how slow they move.