"We are encouraging anybody in this country: whether you are a TikTok content creator, a blogger, or a podcaster - if you are producing legitimate news content, no matter the medium, you will be allowed to apply for press credentials to this White House," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday.

Well, that was not on my 2025 Trump bingo card.

Hold onto your press passes, folks.

Whether you're a TikTok influencer, a podcaster, or a blogger, if you're producing "legitimate news content," you're eligible to apply for press credentials.

Governments tapping media figures for communication isn't new, but this? This feels different.

The decision is being framed as a win for free speech and the democratisation of news.

But it raises significant questions about the implications on journalism, legacy media, and the larger political landscape.

So, let's take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly potential consequences of this new rule.

Let's start with the potential positive outcomes here. Because, well, why the hell not?

By expanding access to the briefing room, the White House is acknowledging that traditional journalism isn't the only platform where newsworthy content is being created. (uh, duh.)

TikTok videos, podcasts, and blogs have increasingly become sources of information that resonate with younger, more diverse audiences, who may feel disconnected, from the established, mainstream media.

This will (hopefully) lead to a more diverse, real representation of what's going on in the world - including perspectives from people who are actually living in the moment.

Not every story has to be curated for a mainstream audience. And opening up the floor to these creators could help amplify stories that might otherwise slip through the cracks.

It's a little less "here's what we want you to know" and a little more "here's what's really happening." Not a bad thing, right?

A huge win for anyone whose voice is currently buried under the weight of traditional media's monopoly.

Now, let's pump the brakes for a second.

Sure, access for everyone sounds great in theory, but in practice? Who exactly gets to decide what counts as "legitimate news content"?

Because, spoiler alert, not everyone in the Briefing Room has the same standards of fact-checking, editorial oversight, or journalistic integrity as your seasoned reporter at The New York Times.

Suddenly, we're competing with influencers who might not know the difference between real news and an Instagram caption written to go viral.

The risk? A flood of misinformation, sensationalism, and very questionable takes suddenly getting the same weight as actual news reporting.

Not exactly a great look when we're already drowning in a sea of fake news and clickbait. Is it really a "win" when the line between legitimate journalism and social media rants gets even blurrier?

Now, I'm all for freedom of expression - but let's not pretend this isn't a political chess move.

By offering access to a broader swath of creators, the White House is, whether intentionally or not, throwing its weight behind the creators that best align with their political narrative. Of course.

Sounds familiar, right? It's the same tactic we've seen from the right, weaponising "free speech" as a way to push unfiltered content that often leans heavily in one direction.

So, this could turn into a free-for-all where certain voices dominate, and others - the ones questioning the agenda - get drowned out.

It's not just about "free speech" anymore; it's about controlling the conversation.

The more creators who take their seat at the table, the more power they have to skew the narrative in their favor. And that, my friends, is where things get real tricky.

Okay, now let's talk about what this means for the dinosaurs of journalism - legacy media.

The big players like The Washington Post, CNN, and NPR have spent decades holding the keys to the kingdom.

Now? Not so much. As more creators step into the spotlight, we're looking at the potential death of traditional media as the gatekeeper of all news.

But before you start doing the happy dance, there's a problem.