(Tribune News Service) — The White House received more than 7,400 requests for credentials one day after saying it would open press briefings to content creators, influencers and podcasters.

The White House said Tuesday it would reserve space in its briefings for “new media voices” and began allowing interested parties to apply for access online. The news outlets Breitbart and Axios were among the first to participate.

“Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media, and other independent outlets,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during her inaugural press briefing on Tuesday.

Social media influencers are becoming a primary source of news for many Americans. Nearly 40% of young adults under the age 30 rely on influencers to stay updated on current events and politics, according to the Pew Research Center. Opening press conferences to non-traditional news sources allows influencers to directly question administration officials.

Last year, the Democratic National Convention invited over 200 creators to help cover the election, while NBC relied on dozens of influencers to report on the Olympics in Paris, granting them press credentials alongside traditional journalists.

A key aspect of President Donald Trump’s campaign last year was to grant interviews to podcasters like Joe Rogan, Logan Paul and Theo Von. That strategy is largely credited with boosting Trump’s appeal among young, male conservative voters.

Then-president Joe Biden hosted more than 100 influencers at its first ever White House Creator Economy Conference last year, and regularly briefed social media influencers on policy issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

With assistance from Josh Wingrove.

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