Why Sean Spicer Banned Me From the White House

When Sean Spicer wouldn’t grant me a White House pass, I had to report from outside the gates. It turned out to be some of the most productive reporting of my career.

I’m sharing what happened during my time at Politico, how I found sources without a credential, and why I think the White House briefing can be more theater than news gathering. With CNN, MSNBC and Politico facing a new access fight, I also explain why the press still needs to defend its place in the room. Then I answer your questions live.

Subscribe to The Red Letter for my independent reporting and read more about it here: https://www.tarapalmeri.com/p/trump-should-worry-about-the-reporters

Chapters

00:00 The White House briefing room’s dirty little secret

01:19 How I became a Trump White House reporter

02:22 My clashes with Sean Spicer

03:05 The White House pass I couldn’t get

04:50 Reporting and breaking stories from outside the gates

06:30 The new White House press access fight

08:53 What reportedly triggered the ban

11:20 Why I did better reporting outside