A former senior aide to First Lady Jill Biden ignites controversy over claims of media manipulation and retaliation from the White House.
According to Fox News, Michael LaRosa, who served as Jill Biden's press secretary from 2021 to 2022, alleged that the White House attempted to pressure CNN into blacklisting him from future appearances after he became critical of the administration in 2024.
The accusations emerged during LaRosa's appearance on Mark Halperin's 2Way podcast, where he discussed what he described as the media's tendency to "cover up" President Biden's mental decline. LaRosa claimed that after making 45 CNN appearances in 2023, the White House intervened to prevent future bookings, allegedly threatening to restrict the network's access to administration officials.
LaRosa's revelations paint a picture of what he characterizes as systematic pressure on media outlets. He described being "flagged" in CNN's guest tracking system, creating obstacles for producers attempting to book him for appearances.
The former aide's allegations extend beyond his personal experience. He accused the Biden administration of employing similar tactics with journalists, suggesting a pattern of using access as leverage to influence coverage.
CNN has firmly rejected LaRosa's claims. A network spokesperson issued a direct statement affirming their editorial independence, stating that the White House does not control their booking decisions.
LaRosa shared his experience on "The Young Turks" show in March, where he accused Biden staffers of making "really unethical" demands of journalists. He described their approach as an attempt to bully reporters into providing favorable coverage of the president.
The former press secretary's claims appear to be contradicted by his continued presence on CNN. Records show at least four appearances on the network in 2024, including broadcasts on March 7, February 25, February 20, and February 9.
A former Biden White House official has disputed LaRosa's account, stating they were unaware of any efforts to prevent his appearances on the network.
LaRosa offered additional insights into the administration's perspective on press relations during his podcast appearance. He addressed what he views as a fundamental misunderstanding among Democrats regarding their relationship with media outlets.
During the podcast discussion, LaRosa shared his observations about the White House's approach to media relations:
They did bully a lot of journalists, and I think they would tell you that now. They wouldn't have told you at the time. Sometimes I think Democrats in general expect the press to work for them and when they aren't working for them they will come down on you pretty tough... But they never treated the press with anything but suspicion.
The former aide has become increasingly vocal about the Biden administration's media strategy, particularly regarding what he describes as efforts to shield the president from public scrutiny during the 2024 campaign.
Michael LaRosa's allegations against the White House have sparked discussions about the relationship between political power and media freedom. The former Jill Biden press secretary claims the administration attempted to influence CNN's booking decisions after he began criticizing their handling of the president's public appearances and mental acuity concerns. While CNN maintains its editorial independence and evidence shows LaRosa continues to appear on the network, his accusations raise questions about the complex dynamics between media organizations and political institutions.
