US President Donald Trump has publicly justified his decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from White House press access. He claims the ban targets what he describes as ‘fake news’ rather than infringing on press freedom. Trump’s remarks were made on Truth Social on Monday, shortly after the three news organizations filed a joint First Amendment lawsuit against his administration. The lawsuit challenges the abrupt withdrawal of press access for their journalists, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the current administration.
Responding to the lawsuit, which accuses the administration of interfering with independent journalism and threatening press freedom, Trump rejected the allegations. He instead described the outlets’ reporting as a national security concern. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous USD 8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them ‘alive. Seems like corruption to me!) from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS! CNN reported that the emergency filing was due to be reviewed by a federal judge in the US District Court for Washington, with administration officials potentially facing hearings and legal arguments in the coming days.
Trump said in another Truth Social post. “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” they said. CNN has also said it will continue covering the US government despite the restrictions.
CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO subsequently announced that they would take legal action, saying the administration had interfered with their constitutional rights. “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow,” he added.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the organisations said in a joint statement.
