Media Strategy and Public Persona During Trump Administration

Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu

Date: December 13, 2024

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the United States Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I hereby request the following records:

Subject: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request – Media Strategy and Public Persona During Trump Administration

Recipient:
Office of Management and Budget
Attn: FOIA Officer
725 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20503

Requested Records

I request access to and copies of the following records created or maintained by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during President Donald J. Trump’s first administration (January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021), focusing on efforts to manage public and media perceptions of the administration:

1. Internal Communications About Media Strategy
• Emails, memoranda, or other internal communications between OMB officials and White House staff discussing:
• Media strategies to manage public perception of President Trump following controversial statements or actions.
• Instructions to federal agencies on how to align messaging with Trump’s narrative, including framing him as a victim of “fake news.”

Legal Basis: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978), emphasizes FOIA’s purpose to inform the public about government operations, particularly those involving media influence and public communication strategies.

2. Communications with Media Outlets
• All communications between OMB staff and representatives of media outlets (e.g., CNN, Fox News, New York Times, etc.), including:
• Guidance or suggestions regarding how Trump’s public persona should be portrayed.
• Reactions to specific media coverage of Trump or his administration.

Legal Basis: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Def., 857 F. Supp. 2d 44 (D.D.C. 2012), highlights the public’s right to understand government coordination with external entities, including the media.

3. Press Interaction Planning
• Records related to planning and execution of press interactions after controversial actions or statements, including:
• Talking points, briefing materials, or Q&A documents prepared for Trump or senior officials to address the press.
• Media strategies specifically designed to counteract “fake news” narratives.

Legal Basis: In American Civil Liberties Union v. U.S. Dep’t of Def., 628 F.3d 612 (D.C. Cir. 2011), the court affirmed FOIA’s role in providing transparency on government strategies that influence public discourse.

4. Instructions to Federal Agencies
• Copies of directives, guidance, or policies sent by OMB to federal agencies about aligning public communications with Trump’s media narrative, including but not limited to:
• Framing Trump as a victim of media bias.
• Strategies for projecting strength and competence in response to critical media coverage.

Legal Basis: Milner v. Department of Navy, 562 U.S. 562 (2011), reinforces that records related to public-facing strategies are subject to disclosure under FOIA.

5. Analysis or Reports on Media Coverage
• Reports, summaries, or internal analyses compiled by OMB about media coverage of Trump and his administration, including assessments of how specific outlets covered controversies or key events.

Legal Basis: John Doe Agency v. John Doe Corp., 493 U.S. 146 (1989), supports FOIA’s goal of exposing government analysis and efforts to shape public perception.

Relevance to Public Interest

This request is of significant public interest, as the requested records would provide insight into how a sitting administration used government resources to influence media coverage, shape public perception, and project a carefully managed narrative. Public understanding of such efforts is critical to evaluating transparency and accountability in government.

Segregability of Non-Exempt Portions

If any portion of the requested records is deemed exempt from disclosure, I request the release of all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions, as required by Vaughn v. Rosen, 484 F.2d 820 (D.C. Cir. 1973). Agencies must provide detailed justifications for withheld information, including an exemption log.

Preservation of Records

Please note your legal obligation to preserve all potentially responsive records. Any destruction of such records without proper justification constitutes a violation of FOIA’s statutory requirements.

Fee Waiver Request

As an independent investigative journalist with Transparency Report, I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of the requested information serves the public interest by significantly enhancing public understanding of government operations during a historic presidency. This request is not for commercial use.

Legal Basis: Cause of Action v. FTC, 799 F.3d 1108 (D.C. Cir. 2015), supports the granting of fee waivers for requests that contribute to public understanding of significant governmental actions.

If a fee waiver is denied, I agree to pay up to $200 for processing fees and request prior notification if costs exceed this amount.

Expedited Processing Request

I request expedited processing under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E), as this request pertains to an issue of significant and continuing public interest involving government accountability, media influence, and public perception of transparency.

Response Format and Timeline

Please provide the requested records in electronic format where possible. As stipulated by FOIA, I look forward to your response within twenty business days. If any part of this request is unclear, please contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu for clarification.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report

Enclosure: Fee Waiver Request Letter