By Gloria Ogbonna
In a moment described as unprecedented for the outlet, Matthew Boyle, Washington Bureau Chief of Breitbart News, confirmed that he and Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow were invited to attend the traditional pre–State of the Union luncheon hosted by President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The invitation marked a notable shift in the long-standing media tradition, which has typically been reserved almost exclusively for major television network anchors. Boyle described the experience as a “historic” moment, emphasizing that Breitbart was the only print-based media organization represented in the room.
Boyle revealed the details during an appearance on War Room, hosted by former White House strategist Steve Bannon. During the interview, Bannon asked Boyle directly whether reports were true that Breitbart had been invited to participate in the exclusive gathering alongside top broadcast journalists.
“Yes, it is true,” Boyle said. “Alex Marlow and I were there from Breitbart. We were the only two journalists in the room who do not work at a television network. Breitbart is many things, but we are not a television network. So, it was a historic moment.”
The pre-speech luncheon is a long-standing Washington tradition, typically held at the White House on the afternoon before the president delivers the State of the Union address.
Presidents from both political parties have used the gathering to preview key themes of their upcoming speech and to engage in candid discussions with leading members of the press.
According to Boyle, the conversation at this year’s luncheon covered several critical foreign and domestic policy topics.
One of the most prominent subjects was Iran, including discussions about what potential military action by the United States against the Iranian regime might involve and the broader geopolitical implications.
Boyle also said attendees discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts, including negotiations taking place in Geneva, and economic policy priorities. Among those priorities, he confirmed reports that Trump plans to pursue additional tax relief measures, which could become a central part of his administration’s economic agenda moving forward.
The event brought together some of the most influential figures in American broadcast journalism. Boyle noted that representatives from television outlets such as Newsmax and NewsNation were also present at the luncheon.
Breitbart’s presence was especially significant because the event has historically been dominated by television journalists, reflecting the influence of broadcast media in shaping national political coverage.
Nick Gilbertson, Breitbart’s White House Correspondent, also reported on the invitation, explaining that Trump personally requested Boyle and Marlow’s attendance as part of his broader effort to include alternative and digital media voices in high-level discussions traditionally limited to legacy networks.
BREAKING: BREITBART INVITED TO SOTU LUNCHEON
“Yes, it is true. Alex Marlow and I were there from Breitbart. We were the only two journalists in the room who do not work at a television network…There's definitely a lot of discussion about Iran, you know, and what a potential… pic.twitter.com/EgNPPK9dmA
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) February 24, 2026
Gilbertson noted that the luncheon serves as an opportunity for the president to outline key elements of the upcoming speech, discuss current events, and engage directly with journalists in a less formal and more conversational environment.
While much of the discussion is often considered off the record, the event provides insight into the administration’s priorities and messaging strategy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also publicly acknowledged the expanded guest list in a post on social media, highlighting the administration’s intention to broaden media access.
“President Trump was proud to invite new media to the annual historic State of the Union network luncheon, including Breitbart, Newsmax and News Nation, all of whom deserve a seat at the highly coveted table,” she wrote.
The inclusion of Breitbart reflects a changing media landscape, where digital outlets increasingly compete with traditional television networks for influence and audience reach.
For Breitbart, the invitation represented both recognition and validation, signaling its growing prominence within political media circles and its evolving role in covering presidential administrations at the highest level.
The luncheon ultimately set the stage for Trump’s prime-time address to Congress, offering an early glimpse into the policy priorities, messaging, and political themes that would shape one of the most closely watched speeches of the year.
Source Breitbart
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