President Obama will sit down with three YouTube creators following the State of the Union address next Tuesday, White House officials said.
In a blog posting at WhiteHouse.gov, officials said the interviews will be another example of “efforts by the president and his administration to speak directly to the American people online, and we’re always looking for new ways to do just that.”
Mr. Obama will meet with meet YouTube creators Bethany Mota, GloZell and Hank Green. None of the YouTube personalities appear to have any experience in the media world or in interviewing political officials, though each has millions of subscribers.
Ms. Mota, for example, has more than 8 million subscribers. Her last three YouTube postings involve tips on how to host a great party.
One of GloZell’s recent postings is titled, “My push-up bra will help me get my man.”
The White House denies that the interviews are part of a larger strategy to elbow out the traditional press corps.
“It certainly does not take the place of the news conference the president will be convening with all of you tomorrow,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters, referring to Mr. Obama’s news conference Friday with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
“It doesn’t take the place of the public events the president will do after the State of the Union address,” Mr. Earnest continued. “This is part of an integrated communications strategy to make sure the American people understand exactly what the president is fighting for in Washington, D.C.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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