WASHINGTON — Podcasters and social media influencers will be permitted to apply for credentials to cover the White House, the new press secretary announced Tuesday. In her first briefing, Karoline Leavitt told reporters that a wider range of individuals will be eligible to apply for White House press credentials. “We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House,” Leavitt said. That move to open up the White House is part of the administration’s aim to significantly increase the number of journalists with White House access, said Leavitt. At 27