Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
Before a designated press secretary existed, early U.S. presidents had a large, formal staff to manage their relationship with a growing number of journalists.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before a designated press secretary, early U.S. presidents interacted with a smaller number of journalists, and their relationship was less formal, without a large, dedicated staff for media relations.
Congress first appropriated funds for a White House staff after Abraham Lincoln's administration, initially consisting of just one secretary.
Answer: True
Explanation: Congress first appropriated funds for a White House staff following Abraham Lincoln's administration, with the initial staff comprising a single secretary.
John G. Nicolay, one of Abraham Lincoln's private secretaries, had a background in law and rarely interacted with the press.
Answer: False
Explanation: John G. Nicolay, a private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, had a journalism background and occasionally interacted with the press, contrary to rarely doing so or having a law background.
Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to grant a formal interview request to a reporter.
Answer: False
Explanation: Andrew Johnson, not Theodore Roosevelt, was the first president to grant a formal interview request to a reporter.
By Grover Cleveland's presidency in 1884, the number of active newspaper publications had significantly decreased due to the rise of monthly magazines.
Answer: False
Explanation: By Grover Cleveland's presidency in 1884, the number of active daily newspaper publications had dramatically increased, not decreased, alongside the rise of monthly magazines.
The incident during Grover Cleveland's honeymoon in 1886 highlighted the press's growing assertiveness regarding presidential privacy, with The New York World defending the press's right to cover the president as 'public property.'
Answer: True
Explanation: The aggressive press coverage of Grover Cleveland's honeymoon in 1886 indeed highlighted the growing assertiveness of the press regarding presidential privacy, with The New York World defending its right to cover the president as 'public property.'
Daniel Lamont, Grover Cleveland's private secretary, was a former editor who managed persistent reporters during the president's term.
Answer: True
Explanation: Daniel Lamont, Grover Cleveland's private secretary, was a former editor who was relied upon by the president to manage persistent reporters.
The 'White House beat' for reporters originated when William W. Price of the Washington Evening Star stationed himself at the White House to seek out stories.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'White House beat' for reporters originated precisely as described, with William W. Price initiating the practice of stationing himself at the White House for news.
How did early U.S. presidents typically manage their relationship with the press before a designated press secretary existed?
Answer: They interacted with a smaller number of journalists, and the relationship was less formal.
Explanation: Before a designated press secretary, early U.S. presidents managed press relations by interacting with a smaller number of journalists in a less formal manner.
Which president first had Congress appropriate funds for a White House staff, and what was its initial size?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln, with a staff of one secretary.
Explanation: Congress first appropriated funds for a White House staff after Abraham Lincoln's administration, initially consisting of just one secretary.
Which of Abraham Lincoln's private secretaries had a journalism background and occasionally interacted with the press?
Answer: John G. Nicolay
Explanation: John G. Nicolay, one of Abraham Lincoln's private secretaries, had a journalism background and occasionally interacted with the press.
Who was the first president to grant a formal interview request to a reporter?
Answer: Andrew Johnson
Explanation: Andrew Johnson was the first president to grant a formal interview request to a reporter.
By 1884, during Grover Cleveland's presidency, how many active daily newspaper publications were there in the United States?
Answer: Over 1,200
Explanation: By 1884, during Grover Cleveland's presidency, there were over 1,200 active daily newspaper publications in the United States.
What incident during Grover Cleveland's presidency highlighted the growing assertiveness of the press regarding presidential privacy?
Answer: Reporters aggressively following his honeymoon in Deer Park, Maryland.
Explanation: The aggressive press coverage of Grover Cleveland's honeymoon in Deer Park, Maryland, in 1886 highlighted the growing assertiveness of the press regarding presidential privacy.
Who was Daniel Lamont during Grover Cleveland's presidency?
Answer: Cleveland's private secretary and a former editor who managed press relations.
Explanation: Daniel Lamont served as Grover Cleveland's private secretary and was a former editor who managed press relations during his presidency.
How did the concept of a 'White House beat' for reporters originate?
Answer: William W. Price stationed himself at the White House to seek out stories.
Explanation: The 'White House beat' originated when reporter William W. Price stationed himself at the White House to consistently seek out stories for the Washington Evening Star.
The position of White House Press Secretary was officially established in the early 1900s, making it over a century old.
Answer: False
Explanation: The position of White House Press Secretary was officially established on March 4, 1929, making it less than a century old at the time of the statement.
George B. Cortelyou, private secretary to President William McKinley, is considered by some to be the first presidential press secretary due to his effective management of press relations.
Answer: True
Explanation: George B. Cortelyou, President William McKinley's private secretary, is indeed considered by some to be the first presidential press secretary due to his effective management of press relations.
Cortelyou's notable practices included providing information to reporters in the morning and strictly limiting the distribution of presidential remarks.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cortelyou provided information to reporters later in the evening and offered advance copies of presidential remarks, rather than strictly limiting their distribution or providing information in the morning.
Reporters were first invited into the White House mansion to cover events during the Civil War era.
Answer: False
Explanation: Reporters were first invited into the White House mansion to cover events around the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898, not during the Civil War era.
Theodore Roosevelt solidified the permanent presence of the White House Press Corps by requesting permanent space for them in the newly built executive office building.
Answer: True
Explanation: Theodore Roosevelt indeed solidified the permanent presence of the White House Press Corps by advocating for dedicated space in the new executive office building, now known as the West Wing.
Joseph P. Tumulty, Woodrow Wilson's private secretary, convinced Wilson to hold regular news conferences and established a schedule of daily briefings.
Answer: True
Explanation: Joseph P. Tumulty, Woodrow Wilson's private secretary, was instrumental in convincing Wilson to hold regular news conferences and in establishing a schedule of daily briefings for reporters.
President Wilson's press conferences were discontinued permanently after a reporter revealed comments about the Lusitania sinking.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Wilson's press conferences were discontinued after comments about the Lusitania sinking were revealed, but they were held sporadically during his second term, indicating they were not permanently discontinued.
Joseph Tumulty formalized the press briefing process by giving daily morning briefings and clarifying embargo rules.
Answer: True
Explanation: Joseph Tumulty formalized the press briefing process by instituting daily morning briefings and clarifying embargo rules for the release of confidential information.
Despite his nickname 'Silent Cal,' President Calvin Coolidge held very few press conferences during his time in office.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite his nickname 'Silent Cal,' President Calvin Coolidge held a significant number of press conferences, approximately 520, during his more than five years in office.
During the Coolidge administration, reporters could directly attribute quotes from the president in press conferences.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Coolidge administration, press conference rules stipulated that presidential statements could only be attributed to a 'White House spokesman,' not directly to the president.
President Herbert Hoover, in consultation with the White House Correspondents Association, categorized presidential news into three types: directly attributable, attributable to official sources, and background information.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Herbert Hoover, in collaboration with the White House Correspondents Association, formalized news conferences by categorizing presidential news into three distinct types as described.
George E. Akerson, Herbert Hoover's private secretary, was highly praised for his precision and ability to obtain necessary information for press relations.
Answer: False
Explanation: George E. Akerson, Herbert Hoover's private secretary, was not known for precision and faced challenges in obtaining necessary information for press relations, contrary to being highly praised for these qualities.
George Akerson is listed as the first White House Press Secretary in the provided table, serving under President Herbert Hoover.
Answer: True
Explanation: George Akerson is indeed listed as the first White House Press Secretary in the provided table, serving under President Herbert Hoover.
When was the position of White House Press Secretary officially formed?
Answer: March 4, 1929
Explanation: The position of White House Press Secretary was officially formed on March 4, 1929.
Who is considered by some to be the 'first of the presidential press secretaries' due to his effective management of press relations under William McKinley?
Answer: George B. Cortelyou
Explanation: George B. Cortelyou, private secretary to President William McKinley, is considered by some to be the 'first of the presidential press secretaries' due to his effective management of press relations.
When were reporters first invited into the White House mansion to cover events?
Answer: Around the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898
Explanation: Reporters were first invited into the White House mansion to cover events around the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898.
What was Joseph P. Tumulty's key contribution to press relations during Woodrow Wilson's administration?
Answer: He convinced Wilson to hold regular news conferences and established daily briefings.
Explanation: Joseph P. Tumulty's key contribution was convincing President Wilson to hold regular news conferences and establishing a schedule of daily briefings for reporters.
Despite his nickname 'Silent Cal,' President Calvin Coolidge held approximately how many press conferences during his more than five years in office?
Answer: Approximately 520
Explanation: Despite his nickname 'Silent Cal,' President Calvin Coolidge held approximately 520 press conferences during his more than five years in office.
What attribution rule was established for presidential statements during the Coolidge administration?
Answer: Statements could only be attributed to a 'White House spokesman'.
Explanation: During the Coolidge administration, the attribution rule for presidential statements was that they could only be attributed to a 'White House spokesman'.
Who was the first individual listed in the provided table as a White House Press Secretary, serving under President Herbert Hoover?
Answer: George Akerson
Explanation: George Akerson is listed as the first White House Press Secretary in the provided table, serving under President Herbert Hoover.
Stephen Early, who served under Franklin D. Roosevelt, is widely considered the first true White House press secretary.
Answer: True
Explanation: Stephen Early, who served under Franklin D. Roosevelt, is widely recognized as the first true White House press secretary due to his comprehensive approach to the role.
Stephen Early's professional background included serving as a lawyer and a political strategist before joining the Roosevelt administration.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stephen Early's professional background before joining the Roosevelt administration included serving as an editor for Stars and Stripes and a reporter for the Associated Press, not as a lawyer or political strategist.
Stephen Early requested limited access to the president and preferred to attribute his statements to anonymous sources.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stephen Early requested unfettered access to the president and direct attribution for his statements, rather than limited access or attributing to anonymous sources.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's press conferences, under Stephen Early, allowed reporters to submit written questions in advance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Franklin D. Roosevelt's press conferences, under Stephen Early's guidance, notably did away with the practice of submitted written questions in advance.
The tradition of the senior wire reporter ending presidential press conferences with 'Thank you, Mr. President' began during the Roosevelt administration.
Answer: True
Explanation: The tradition of the senior wire reporter concluding presidential press conferences with 'Thank you, Mr. President' indeed originated during the Roosevelt administration.
The Roosevelt administration was generally criticized for its poor management of press relations under Stephen Early's leadership.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Roosevelt administration, under Stephen Early's leadership, was generally considered effective at managing press relations, despite some reporters' dissatisfaction with the amount of new information.
The Roosevelt White House staff saw a significant decrease in size due to budget cuts during the New Deal era.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Roosevelt White House staff experienced a significant increase in size, not a decrease, largely due to increased New Deal funding for public relations activities.
Stephen Early faced criticism for preventing African American journalists from attending presidential press conferences until 1944.
Answer: True
Explanation: Stephen Early indeed faced criticism for enforcing rules that prevented African American journalists from attending presidential press conferences until formal approval was granted in 1944.
Photographers during Stephen Early's tenure were given unrestricted access to President Roosevelt to capture candid moments.
Answer: False
Explanation: During Stephen Early's tenure, photographers faced stringent restrictions, not unrestricted access, primarily to conceal President Roosevelt's polio and immobility.
James Hagerty, before becoming press secretary for Dwight D. Eisenhower, was a former reporter for The New York Times.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Hagerty, prior to his role as press secretary for Dwight D. Eisenhower, was indeed a former reporter for The New York Times.
At his first meeting, James Hagerty established ground rules that included giving exclusives to favored reporters.
Answer: False
Explanation: At his first meeting, James Hagerty explicitly established ground rules stating he would not play favorites or give exclusives to reporters.
James Hagerty abolished the rule that prevented direct quotes from the president without permission, allowing verbatim printing of presidential statements from press conferences.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Hagerty indeed abolished the rule preventing direct quotes from the president without permission, thereby allowing verbatim printing of presidential statements from press conferences.
Newsreel and television cameras were first allowed in presidential news conferences during the Kennedy administration.
Answer: False
Explanation: Newsreel and television cameras were first allowed in presidential news conferences in 1955, during the Eisenhower administration, not the Kennedy administration.
James Hagerty's handling of President Eisenhower's health crises earned him significant respect from newsmen.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Hagerty's calm and professional management of President Eisenhower's health crises earned him considerable respect from the press.
James Hagerty's tenure as press secretary was the shortest on record, lasting only two years.
Answer: False
Explanation: James Hagerty's tenure as press secretary was the longest on record, lasting eight years, not the shortest.
Stephen Early's tenure as press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt lasted exactly 10 years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stephen Early's tenure as press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt lasted 12 years and 25 days, not exactly 10 years.
Who is widely considered the first true White House press secretary, both in function and formal title?
Answer: Stephen Early
Explanation: Stephen Early, who served under Franklin D. Roosevelt, is widely considered the first true White House press secretary, both in function and formal title.
What was Stephen Early's professional background before becoming press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Answer: An editor for Stars and Stripes and a reporter for the Associated Press.
Explanation: Before becoming press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt, Stephen Early's professional background included serving as an editor for Stars and Stripes and a reporter for the Associated Press.
How did Franklin D. Roosevelt's press conferences, under Stephen Early's guidance, differ from previous administrations regarding reporter questions?
Answer: They did away with submitted written questions.
Explanation: Under Stephen Early's guidance, Franklin D. Roosevelt's press conferences notably did away with the practice of submitted written questions.
What tradition for ending presidential press conferences began during the Roosevelt administration?
Answer: The senior wire reporter concludes by stating, 'Thank you, Mr. President.'
Explanation: The tradition of the senior wire reporter concluding presidential press conferences by saying 'Thank you, Mr. President' began during the Roosevelt administration.
What controversy surrounded Stephen Early's management of press access for African American journalists?
Answer: He enforced rules that prevented African American journalists from attending presidential press conferences until 1944.
Explanation: Stephen Early faced controversy for enforcing rules that prevented African American journalists from attending presidential press conferences until 1944.
What was the primary reason for stringent restrictions on photographers during Stephen Early's tenure?
Answer: To conceal the severity of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's polio and worsening immobility.
Explanation: The primary reason for stringent restrictions on photographers during Stephen Early's tenure was to conceal the severity of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's polio and worsening immobility.
What significant change did James Hagerty institute regarding direct quotes from the president during press conferences?
Answer: He abolished the rule that the president could not be directly quoted without permission.
Explanation: James Hagerty instituted the significant change of abolishing the rule that prevented direct quotes from the president without permission, allowing verbatim printing of presidential statements.
When were newsreel and television cameras first allowed in presidential news conferences?
Answer: 1955, during the Eisenhower administration.
Explanation: Newsreel and television cameras were first allowed in presidential news conferences in 1955, during the Eisenhower administration.
What was the duration of Stephen Early's tenure as press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Answer: 12 years and 25 days
Explanation: Stephen Early's tenure as press secretary for Franklin D. Roosevelt lasted 12 years and 25 days.
Karoline Leavitt assumed the position of White House Press Secretary on January 20, 2024.
Answer: False
Explanation: Karoline Leavitt assumed the position of White House Press Secretary on January 20, 2025, not 2024.
Jody Powell's success as press secretary for Jimmy Carter was attributed to his close advisory role and ability to explain the president's reasoning, aligning with the 'insider' factor of Towle's model.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jody Powell's success as press secretary for Jimmy Carter was indeed attributed to his close advisory role and ability to articulate the president's reasoning, consistent with the 'insider' factor of Towle's model.
Charlie Ross, press secretary for the Truman administration, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Answer: True
Explanation: Charlie Ross, who served as press secretary for the Truman administration, was indeed a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Jerald terHorst, President Gerald Ford's first press secretary, resigned due to policy disagreements unrelated to President Nixon.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jerald terHorst, President Gerald Ford's first press secretary, resigned specifically in protest of Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, making the policy disagreement directly related to Nixon.
Marlin Fitzwater served as press secretary for both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
Answer: True
Explanation: Marlin Fitzwater indeed served as press secretary for both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
Stephanie Grisham, under Donald Trump, was known for holding frequent and lengthy formal White House press briefings.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stephanie Grisham, who served under Donald Trump, notably did not hold any formal White House press briefings, contrary to holding frequent and lengthy ones.
The table listing White House Press Secretaries uses a specific color to denote individuals who served in an acting capacity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The table listing White House Press Secretaries uses a specific color (E6E6AA) to indicate individuals who served in an acting capacity.
James Brady continued to brief the press regularly after he was shot in the 1981 assassination attempt.
Answer: False
Explanation: James Brady formally retained the title of press secretary after the 1981 assassination attempt but did not brief the press; others served as de facto press secretaries.
Who is the incumbent White House Press Secretary as of January 20, 2025?
Answer: Karoline Leavitt
Explanation: As of January 20, 2025, Karoline Leavitt is the incumbent White House Press Secretary.
Which press secretary for the Truman administration was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist?
Answer: Charlie Ross
Explanation: Charlie Ross, who served as press secretary for the Truman administration, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Which press secretary for the Ford administration resigned in protest when Ford pardoned Richard Nixon?
Answer: Jerald terHorst
Explanation: Jerald terHorst, President Gerald Ford's first press secretary, resigned in protest over the pardon of Richard Nixon.
Who served as press secretary for both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush?
Answer: Marlin Fitzwater
Explanation: Marlin Fitzwater served as press secretary for both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
Which press secretary under Donald Trump notably did not hold any formal White House press briefings?
Answer: Stephanie Grisham
Explanation: Stephanie Grisham, who served as press secretary under Donald Trump, notably did not hold any formal White House press briefings.
What does the specific color (E6E6AA) in the table listing White House Press Secretaries denote?
Answer: Individuals who served in an acting capacity.
Explanation: The specific color (E6E6AA) in the table denotes individuals who served in an acting capacity as White House Press Secretary.
What clarification is provided regarding James Brady's tenure as press secretary after he was shot in 1981?
Answer: He formally retained the title but did not brief the press, with others serving as de facto secretaries.
Explanation: After being shot in 1981, James Brady formally retained the title of press secretary but did not brief the press, with others serving as de facto secretaries.
Who was the White House Press Secretary for Barack Obama who had a background as a Time journalist?
Answer: Jay Carney
Explanation: Jay Carney, a former Time journalist, served as the White House Press Secretary for Barack Obama.
Who was the White House Press Secretary for Donald Trump with a background as a Fox News Channel political commentator?
Answer: Kayleigh McEnany
Explanation: Kayleigh McEnany, a former Fox News Channel political commentator, served as the White House Press Secretary for Donald Trump.
Who was the press secretary for John F. Kennedy?
Answer: Pierre Salinger
Explanation: Pierre Salinger served as the press secretary for John F. Kennedy.
Who was the press secretary for Lyndon B. Johnson who was also a PBS commentator?
Answer: Bill Moyers
Explanation: Bill Moyers, who was also a PBS commentator, served as press secretary for Lyndon B. Johnson.
The White House Press Secretary's role primarily involves acting as a spokesperson for the executive branch, communicating on behalf of the president and government policies.
Answer: True
Explanation: The White House Press Secretary is a senior official whose primary responsibility is to serve as the spokesperson for the executive branch, articulating the president's and administration's policies.
In 2024, the White House Press Secretary's salary was reported to be 180,000 USD.
Answer: True
Explanation: The reported salary for the White House Press Secretary in 2024 was indeed 180,000 USD.
According to Michael J. Towle, a press secretary's success is enhanced if the office is tightly controlled by the president, limiting the secretary's freedom to elaborate.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to Michael J. Towle, a press secretary's success is enhanced when they have more freedom to elaborate, rather than being tightly controlled by the president and limited in their ability to elaborate.
A 'press gaggle' is a televised, on-the-record briefing where the press secretary fields questions from the White House press corps.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'press gaggle' is an on-the-record briefing without video recording, distinguishing it from a generally televised daily press briefing.
Many White House press secretaries have backgrounds in news media, having worked as reporters, editors, or commentators.
Answer: True
Explanation: It is common for White House press secretaries to have professional backgrounds in news media, including roles as reporters, editors, or commentators.
What is the primary responsibility of the White House Press Secretary?
Answer: To act as a spokesperson for the executive branch of the U.S. federal government.
Explanation: The primary responsibility of the White House Press Secretary is to act as a spokesperson for the executive branch, communicating on behalf of the president and government policies.
What was the reported salary for the White House Press Secretary in 2024?
Answer: 180,000 USD
Explanation: The reported salary for the White House Press Secretary in 2024 was 180,000 USD.
According to Michael J. Towle, which factor contributes to a press secretary's success and popularity?
Answer: How tightly the office is controlled by the president, with more freedom to elaborate being better.
Explanation: According to Michael J. Towle, a press secretary's success and popularity are enhanced when the office is not tightly controlled by the president, allowing the secretary more freedom to elaborate.
What is the difference between a daily press briefing and a 'press gaggle'?
Answer: A daily press briefing is generally televised, while a press gaggle is an on-the-record briefing without video recording.
Explanation: A daily press briefing is typically televised, whereas a 'press gaggle' is an on-the-record briefing that does not include video recording.
Which of the following professional backgrounds is common among White House press secretaries?
Answer: News media, having worked as reporters, editors, or commentators.
Explanation: Many White House press secretaries share a common professional background in news media, having worked as reporters, editors, or commentators.