White House launches website targeting media outlets for 'biased' coverage

The Trump administration has launched a new section on the official White House website dedicated to criticizing news organizations and journalists accused of presenting biased coverage. The platform, named "Misleading. Biased. Exposed," represents an unprecedented official effort to publicly challenge media reporting during a presidential administration.

Media ranking system

The website features a ranking system that designates specific outlets as "media offenders of the week," with recent listings including The Boston Globe, CBS News, and the Independent. These designations stem from coverage concerning six Democratic lawmakers who released a video encouraging military personnel to refuse illegal orders, referencing the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The White House contends that these reports falsely implied President Trump had issued unlawful commands to service members.

Content classification and response

A searchable database on the site organizes criticized news stories under categories including "bias," "malpractice," and "left wing lunacy." The Washington Post currently leads the platform's "Offender Hall of Shame," which also includes CNN, MS Now (formerly MSNBC), Associated Press, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal among others. In response to its inclusion, The Washington Post affirmed its commitment to "accurate, rigorous journalism," noting it had published follow-up coverage when policies changed after initial reporting.

Historical context of press relations

This digital initiative continues the administration's pattern of contentious engagement with news media throughout Trump's nearly five years in office. The president has frequently employed the "fake news" characterization for critical reporting and has previously attempted to exclude certain journalists from White House and Pentagon press pools. The administration's relationship with media has included verbal attacks on individual reporters, legal actions against news organizations, and occasional suggestions that supporters physically confront journalists.