Ex-Biden Aide Accuses Team of Media Manipulation

Former Biden White House staffer Michael LaRosa has accused the Biden administration of making 'unethical' demands on journalists to manipulate media coverage in favor of the president. LaRosa, who served as press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden, claimed the communications team, led by Anita Dunn, was hostile and operated 'out of a bunker' mentality, insisting on quote approvals and scripting interview questions. This approach allegedly extended back to the 2020 campaign and was compared to coercive practices, with staffers trained to enforce preconditions on interviews. LaRosa expressed puzzlement at these measures given the media goodwill toward Biden post-Trump era. His revelations highlight concerns about the administration's handling of media relations and its broader implications on press freedom. Despite the alleged unethical practices, the media largely remained compliant, a fact that has sparked criticism and introspection.