Michael LaRosa, a former aide to President Joe Biden, has voiced serious criticisms against the White House's approach to dealing with the press during Biden's tenure.
The New York Post reported that LaRosa alleged that the Biden administration engaged in unethical practices that hurt the president's reputation by enforcing heavy control over the media.
Michael LaRosa was a communications aide for then-First Lady Jill Biden, and through his tenure, he observed practices he found objectionable.
According to LaRosa, the White House demanded that journalists adhere to strict conditions to secure a favorable portrayal of President Biden. Such practices, he noted, ultimately backfired.
Central to the controversy was the alleged requirement known as "quote approval." Media personnel were reportedly required to submit their quotes for approval, restricting their freedom and influencing press coverage to be more favorable toward the administration. LaRosa found this control over journalistic content peculiar and harmful.
He claimed that the young press staffers went even further by attempting to script interview questions or request them in advance.
LaRosa refused to uphold these practices during his work, advising against asking journalists for specific questions ahead of time. He instead recommended merely asking about the topics to be discussed.
LaRosa did not mince his words when describing the outcome of these press strategies. "No matter how punitive they were," he stated, "his press coverage never improved. In fact, it only got worse." These measures evidently failed to achieve their core objective of protecting the president's image.
LaRosa, reflecting on the situation, observed the open hostility and suspicion from the communications team toward the journalists. This adversarial approach only served to deepen rifts with the media community, further damaging the public perception of President Biden.
The controversial strategies did not originate with Biden's presidency. LaRosa noted the tactics bore a resemblance to those witnessed during Biden’s 2020 campaign.
The continuity of these strategies highlighted systemic issues within Biden’s media team, led by Anita Dunn, who was recognized as a key figure in shaping such policies.
LaRosa was candid in his recollections, pointing to failings and missteps by those around the president. Despite the goodwill from the press and media post-Trump, the administration's restrictive tactics alienated many journalists, eroding what could have been a beneficial relationship.
His insights were not merely personal observations but a cautionary tale about the potential hazards of overregulating the free press.
The unsuccessful attempts to guide journalist interactions underscored how mistrust and control can potentially harm political figures instead of safeguarding them.
From LaRosa’s viewpoint, the young staffers were taught to adopt these unethical measures as part of their professional responsibilities. This not only affected their trustworthiness but also weakened the integrity of the office's communication initiatives.
LaRosa highlighted that the president's approval ratings were not spared by these tactics. "No good waves of press," he noted, followed by the contentious strategies. The intent was to save face but ended up costing the administration dearly in trust and public approval.
Reflecting on his pocket of insight as someone deeply entrenched in the communications strategy, LaRosa emphasized that the divisive approach with journalists left an indelible mark. Instead of fostering cooperation, the administration's approach sowed discord, contributing to an unfavorable press narrative.
