The Lingering Challenge: Why There's Been No White House Press Briefing

It has been nearly 300 days since the last White House press briefing, a duration that stretches back into the previous administration. This situation raises numerous questions about transparency, governance, and the ability of the current leadership to interact with the press in a meaningful and candid manner.

Why the Lapse: Lack of Knowledge and Courage

One crucial reason for this absence is a combination of ineptitude, fear, and a lack of knowledge on the part of the current White House administration. Unlike their predecessors, the Trump administration and its staff are deathly afraid of unscripted, on-the-record encounters. Dealing with press briefings without a carefully crafted script makes them extremely uncomfortable. Furthermore, President Trump himself lacks the knowledge and courage required to stand in front of a room, face questions from the press, and explain his policies without a ready-made answer. This is evident in the fact that if they were capable of handling such situations, they wouldn't be a question.

The administration’s preference for scripted interactions and their reluctance to engage in unscripted briefings reflect a deeper issue of governance by tweet. The absence of meaningful press briefings suggests that they are more comfortable communicating via social media, where the tone and language can be carefully controlled. This approach allows them to avoid accountability and the risk of being questioned directly, which would require a high degree of knowledge, preparation, and honesty.

Strategies to Avoid Accountability

Some have suggested that tweeting and making brief, on-the-spot statements next to a running helicopter can be considered accessible methods for press interaction. However, these strategies are nothing more than attempts to avoid having to answer difficult questions and be held accountable. By relying on these methods, the administration is essentially admitting to a lack of willingness to engage in genuine, ongoing communication with the press. Governance by tweet is a sign of cowardice, as they are using platforms that allow them to control the narrative without facing direct scrutiny.

The presence of a helicopter, which can be used to quickly leave the scene when questions become unpleasant, further exemplifies a lack of confidence and a desire to avoid confrontation. Instead of standing their ground and addressing issues directly, they are opting for evasive tactics that involve running away at the first sign of trouble.

Reasons Behind the Absence of Transparency

There are several reasons why the current administration has chosen to avoid press briefings:

Everything They Do: The administration's actions and decisions are often questionable, and they are aware of this. While they may not relish the idea of lying, they have little choice but to do so to maintain their public image and credibility. However, they also know that excessive lying can be harmful to their own souls, so they engage in selective transparency or outright deception as needed. Limited Impact of Lies: The administration is hedging its bets by only telling lies when it serves a specific purpose. They believe that the potential damage of their lies is limited, as they are balancing their public impact against the risks of being caught. This is partly because they need to maintain the ability to socialize and function in public spaces without fear of verbal abuse or negative reactions. No Desire to Be Interrogated: The role of the press is to ask questions and challenge policies, but the administration doesn't want to engage in this process. They prefer to operate without oversight, as this allows them to maintain control over the narrative. As a result, the press becomes a barrier that they are eager to avoid. Trump's Self-Proclaimed Spokesperson: When it comes to communication, President Trump himself has become the administration's primary voice. He doesn't mind lying about his height or other matters, so why should he bother with the complexities of a press briefing? With the President acting as the main point of contact for the public, the need for a structured press briefing is significantly reduced.

The absence of a White House press briefing is, therefore, a symptom of a broader issue of lack of transparency and a preference for evasion over engagement. The current administration is more comfortable with governance by tweet and temporary, on-the-spot statements, which they view as more manageable and less risky than a formal press briefing.

By understanding these underlying factors, one can see the complex interplay of knowledge, courage, and strategy that shape the current administration's approach to press engagement.