The ink isn’t even dry on President Trump’s second victory, and already, White House journalists are whining about being “exhausted.” These are the same people who had a four-year vacation during the Biden administration, happily regurgitating press releases and treating Jen Psaki’s every word like gospel. Now, they’re suddenly remembering that journalism requires effort, and they’re not happy about it. Cue the tiny violins.
According to Vanity Fair, reporters are already feeling the strain of Trump’s fast-paced transition. New York Times White House correspondent Peter Baker lamented how “nonstop” the news cycle was during Trump’s first term, adding, “It ends up kind of becoming all-consuming and taking over your life. It wears you down.” Translation: doing their job is hard, and they don’t like it.
This isn’t new. When Democrats hold the presidency, the press becomes a PR machine, parroting the administration’s narrative with little scrutiny. Under Biden, they didn’t have to worry about “fact-checking” claims or asking uncomfortable questions. If anything went wrong, they blamed Republicans or ignored the story altogether. But with Trump—or any Republican—the gloves come off. Suddenly, every statement is dissected, every action scrutinized, and every headline dripping with skepticism. It’s no wonder they’re tired. They’ve gone from stenographers to actual reporters almost overnight.
The Hill’s Julia Manchester noted that Trump thrives on unpredictability, calling his transition a trial by fire. She’s not wrong—Trump has already set a blistering pace with his cabinet picks and policy announcements. But isn’t that what journalists are supposed to want? News? Action? Drama? Instead, they’re acting like they’ve been handed a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle after years of coloring books.
Even before taking office, Trump is demonstrating the same energy and decisiveness that defined his first term. Meanwhile, the press corps is bracing itself for another four years of actually having to work for a living. While the rest of the country might be energized by the prospect of a government that moves quickly and gets things done, the press is clutching its pearls and reaching for the smelling salts.
Here’s a suggestion for the media: if doing your job exhausts you, maybe find another line of work. Covering a president who’s actually making news isn’t a burden—it’s a privilege. Stop complaining and start reporting. Isn’t that what you signed up for?
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