UPDATE [04/27/20, 1:43 p.m. EST]:The president will hold a news conference at 5 p.m.
The White House is mulling over new strategies to “showcase” President Donald Trump’s coronavirus response amid mounting criticism over the White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefings.
During an interview with Fox News, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed the president would be available to the press during a Monday afternoon meeting with industry executives.
Her remarks come as the White House canceled Monday’s Coronavirus Task Force press briefing. However, the White House has since announced the president will hold a news conference.
The Fox host noted a previous report published by The Wall Street Journal. The publication raised concerns about the daily briefings being described as “wasted briefings” due to the president’s alleged focus on “grievances” and sparring matches with individual reporters.
See McEnany’s interview below:
McEnany was asked if the effort to minimize the president’s air time was an admission to the daily press briefings being a mistake. She quickly responded, saying, “No, the briefings were a great opportunity for the president to speak with the American people.”
“We’re looking at different ways to showcase this president leading,” McEnany said. “The briefing is a key component of that. We will have briefings this week. But again, the media needs to not read into what’s happening and look at this as an opportunity for the president to speak to the American people.”
She continued, “Make no mistake, the president will be briefing the American people this week. Millions and millions tune in to watch him and see his leadership.”
