President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles hosted a private gathering at the White House this week, inviting about 20 conservative media influencers. The event, described as a "new Christian revival" by some attendees, is part of the administration's strategy to engage with a broad base of supporters as it prepares for the midterm elections.
The influencers, who collectively reach millions of followers across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube, included figures from sports, the Christian community, and prominent conservative circles. President Trump attended the event, which took place on the private patio outside Wiles' West Wing office, and engaged with attendees for over an hour, answering questions.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales emphasized the administration's use of new media to communicate directly with the public. "President Trump has harnessed the power of New Media and social media to cut through the fake news and share his commonsense, America First agenda directly with the American people," Wales stated. She also highlighted administration talking points, such as tax cuts, crime rates, border security, and economic performance, as key accomplishments to be touted to voters.
This outreach to digital creators and commentators aligns with Trump's broader strategy, which has involved courting such figures since his 2024 presidential campaign. Attendees included Xaviaer DuRousseau, an influencer with 2.3 million followers, who shared a video expressing appreciation for the president's engagement. Benny Johnson, another influencer with a substantial following, called the event "remarkable."
Other notable attendees included Josh Howerton, pastor of an evangelical megachurch; former Senate candidate Nick Freitas; Jack Posobiec, editor for Human Events; comedian George Janko; and sports influencer Ben Black. Conservative commentator Sara Gonzales, Christian creator Bryce Crawford, actors and influencers Alex and Carlos Pena Vega, and political commentator Jeff Mead were also present.
Wiles, who has been driving a focus on the upcoming election, also hosted lawmakers and key figures from the Trump administration to discuss strategy and messaging. She shared on X that the event was a "fun and very special night" and praised the White House florist and East Wing team for transforming her office patio into a "beautiful setting."