US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO from the White House, saying the move is aimed at what he calls “fake news” rather than the free press. Trump made the remarks on Truth Social on Monday, days after the three news organisations announced a joint First Amendment lawsuit against his administration over the sudden withdrawal of press access for their journalists.
CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO subsequently announced that they would take legal action, saying the administration had interfered with their constitutional rights.
“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. “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. “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. Earlier reporting noted: US President Donald Trump on Monday attacked CNN, MS NOW and Politico as “Fake News” outlets after the three news organisations sued his administration over their exclusion from the White House, accusing them of publishing negative and defamatory reports.
“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. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference. They argue that the administration’s decision to bar their journalists violates their First Amendment rights and was imposed without a process to challenge the restrictions. CNN was also removed from its scheduled television pool duties.
Earlier reporting noted: The three organisations filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington seeking to restore their access to the White House. Earlier reporting noted: The lawsuit follows Trump’s decision to revoke access to the three outlets after criticising their coverage. Their reporters were denied entry to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their press credentials confiscated, according to the news organisations.
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.
