President Donald Trump declared on Friday that he would prohibit CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from entering the White House. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed pride in this decision, citing the media’s history of reporting what he calls “Fake News.”
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump elaborated on his stance, referencing the “cumulative stories” published by these outlets over the years. “You get sick of it,” he remarked, emphasizing his frustration.
In response to Trump’s actions, CNN criticized the administration’s treatment of the press, labeling it as disrespectful to the office of the presidency. Trump, however, denied any intentions to stifle journalistic freedom, asserting he was simply advocating for truth in reporting.
CNN has traditionally been a part of a media pool that covers the president’s travels worldwide, a role that they were set to continue as they prepare to lead coverage for Trump’s upcoming participation in the United Nations General Assembly.
Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended Trump during an event in the Oval Office, suggesting it was contradictory to claim he opposes a free press while journalists ask him questions directly in that same space. “He has been more accessible and easier to talk to than any president in history,” she stated.
Historically, Trump’s attempts to ban certain media outlets have faced legal challenges, with judges ruling against such measures. “I don’t think that a court should allow fake news to be written day after day,” Trump commented, implying that media misrepresentation warranted the ban.
Even as these developments unfolded, CNN’s team continued their live coverage outside the White House. In response to the ban, CNN expressed their commitment to supporting their White House correspondents and maintaining their constitutional right to report freely. Similarly, Politico affirmed their dedication to covering the administration fairly and vowed to defend their First Amendment rights.
A representative from MS NOW chose not to comment on the situation.
