Overview

• The Trump administration's 'new media' seat in White House briefings has drawn criticism after Zero Hedge reporter Liam Cosgrove raised the discredited 'Clinton body count' theory during a press session.
• Cosgrove used his platform to question the Department of Justice’s timeline for releasing additional Jeffrey Epstein case files, suggesting potential ties to intelligence agencies and blackmail operations.
• Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt redirected inquiries about the Epstein files to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has previously committed to phased releases of the documents.
• Zero Hedge, the outlet represented by Cosgrove, has been flagged by U.S. intelligence for spreading Moscow-linked propaganda and conspiracy theories, raising concerns about foreign influence in the White House press room.
• The 'new media' seat, introduced in January, reflects the administration's strategy to elevate alternative conservative outlets while sidelining traditional press organizations.