Trump White House Launches “New Media” Briefing With Controversial Comment About Uber Drivers

The Trump administration’s latest push to engage with influencers and independent media kicked off with some fireworks on Monday, as the first-ever “New Media” briefing at the White House quickly turned political and controversial.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt opened the event — aimed at creators and alternative media personalities — by declaring it “our first official influencer briefing here at the White House.” She praised the shift toward social media as a primary news source for Americans, stating, “Tens of millions of Americans are now turning to social media and independent media outlets to consume their news.” Leavitt also reiterated what has become a regular line from the Trump team: “This has truly been the most transparent and accessible presidency in American history.”

Then came the moment that lit up the room.

Leavitt called on conservative influencer Arynne Wexler to ask the first question. Wexler opened with a thank-you — not for the press event, but for something far more specific.

“Thanks so much, Karoline, both for having us and for granting me the first question here,” she began, before adding with a chuckle, “And I can attest to the deportations in Florida — my Uber drivers finally speak English again, so thank you for that.”

The remark, which seemed to celebrate immigration enforcement efforts in Florida, drew laughter from some attendees but immediately sparked backlash online. Critics condemned the statement as xenophobic and tone-deaf, especially given the diverse workforce in the rideshare industry and broader discussions around immigration reform.

Wexler then pivoted to a more policy-oriented question, asking about how the administration intends to handle institutions or states that continue to allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

“What are the administration’s plans for those who continue to defy the executive orders — most notably on my mind are the ones related to what some would call trans men, I would call men masquerading as women in girls’ sports?” she asked.

Leavitt responded with firm language that reinforced the administration’s stance on both campus free speech and gender-based sports participation.

“Obey federal law, or you will be prosecuted,” she said. “Obey federal law, and you could see your federal funding cut — whether you are a college or a university.”

Leavitt claimed that the administration has used its leverage to bring top universities to the negotiating table, warning that those who fail to act on alleged antisemitic harassment of Jewish students or who allow trans women to compete in women’s sports could face severe penalties.

“If they don’t want to come to the negotiating table to apologize for the federal laws they have broken, to apologize for allowing Jewish-American students on our nation’s campuses to be unlawfully bullied and harassed, then there’s going to be consequences for that illegal behavior,” she said. “Same thing with men in women’s sports.”

The influencer-focused event marked a new chapter in the Trump campaign’s media strategy, signaling a growing reliance on social media figures to amplify administration talking points. Rather than courting legacy media outlets, the briefing appeared designed to reach voters through TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), where creators like Wexler boast loyal, politically engaged followings.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wexler’s remarks, which quickly spread across platforms and drew both praise and condemnation.

As the 2024 campaign cycle heats up, the Trump team seems intent on blurring the lines between press briefings and influencer collaborations — even if that means starting things off with a little controversy.