Updated Apr 27, 2020 - Politics & Policy

White House reverses course after canceling coronavirus press briefing

Jacob Knutson

President Trump at a press briefing. — Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted Monday that President Trump will hold a coronavirus press briefing, after announcing earlier in the day that the White House would cancel its scheduled briefing.

What she's saying: "UPDATE: The White House has additional testing guidance and other announcements about safely opening up America again. President @realDonaldTrump will brief the nation during a press conference this evening."

The big picture: As Axios' Jonathan Swan reported last week, the Trump administration has moved to limit the briefings, fearing President Trump is overexposed and hurting his polling ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Trump did not take questions at a short briefing on Friday, and the White House did not hold a briefing over the weekend.

Go deeper ... Trump: White House press conferences aren't worth the "time and effort"

Editor's note: This story was updated after the White House announced it would hold a briefing, despite canceling it earlier.

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White House reverses course after canceling coronavirus press briefing

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