It sure looks like Infowars misreported its own White House credentials
Infowars, the far-right news website run by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, bragged Monday about its new White House press credentials.
SEE ALSO: Alex Jones plays a character on Infowars named 'Alex Jones,' says lawyer for Alex Jones
The site's Washington Bureau Chief, Jerome Corsi, tweeted about obtaining press access with a photo in what looked like the White House briefing room. The website also ran a quick story about what it called "an epic blow" to mainstream media. The story also teased that Alex Jones might attend future meetings.
Corsi spent most of the rest of the day tweeting about the debunked conspiracy surrounding the murder of former Democratic staffer Seth Rich.
Jerome Corsi, Washington Bureau Chief, https://t.co/8yxnbeoqQC. We have WH PRESS CREDENTIALS. I'm in WH May 22, 2017 pic.twitter.com/ln9aE6nNOB
— Jerome Corsi (@jerome_corsi) May 22, 2017
The thing is, while Infowars has been trying for months to get permanent press credentials to join other outlets at press briefings, the outlet didn't actually get what it's been vying for. Instead, they received a day pass, according to various other reporters. That still gives them access to briefings — Corsi was slated to attend U.S. Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney's press briefing Monday — but most publishers can get this type of credential.
CONTEXT: @infowars was given a day pass White House credential, not a permanent press pass. High school students can apply for day passes.
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) May 22, 2017
Re: Jerome Corsi and Info Wars: I saw his pass. It's a temporary day pass almost anyone who publishes can get. (They even gave it to me.)
— Mike Warren (@MichaelRWarren) May 22, 2017
Media Matters for America, a media watchdog nonprofit, posted a video with Corsi from the briefing room saying for a live broadcast, "We’re here. I think that makes clear we’re going to get press credentials and we’ll do what we need to do to get here on a regular basis to get permanent press credentials.”
The organization reported Infowars had a temporary pass, but was still working to get permanent credentials.
Alex Jones’ website Infowars conducted a live broadcast from the White House press briefing room: https://t.co/G6d9TgKRXb pic.twitter.com/iBE98mypz2
— Media Matters (@mmfa) May 22, 2017
We've reached out to the White House press office to confirm what type of credential Infowars received.
In the meantime, everyone's reacting to the idea that Infowars, the outlet behind conspiracies about Obama's birthplace, 9/11, and Sandy Hook, is being treated like a legitimate news source.
I want to throw up. @POTUS has granted legitimacy to a group that believes Sandy Hook was a hoax carried out by paid actors. https://t.co/uMBuIqNMUb
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 22, 2017
Infowars has a WH credential. Beginning of the end of any real journalism in the US. https://t.co/XBENh5nE9j
— Jeremy (@nz_voter) May 22, 2017
Alex Jones of Infowars claims Sandy Hook is a hoax.
Donald Trump just gave his organization a WHITE HOUSE PRESS CREDENTIAL. https://t.co/8phYvGhLEH— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) May 22, 2017
@theliz13 Infowars just got a White House press credential, so nothing matters anymore.
— Donnie Kicklighter (@DrKicklighter) May 22, 2017
Earlier this year, Alex Jones said in an online segment that his site could easily obtain White House credentials if it wanted them.
So there, MSM.