President Donald Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that he is barring CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the outlets of reporting “fake news” and dealing in “fiction and lies.”
In his post, Trump wrote that he was “proud to announce” the immediate ban, singling out MSNOW for having “recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility,” and Politico for receiving what he called “an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden.”
“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.” — President Donald J. Trump
Trump signed off the post with a warning that additional outlets could face similar bans.
Asked about the decision by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump defended it, saying: “Our country has to have honesty … You need a free press — you need a fair press and an honest press.”
The move raises questions about press access and the First Amendment, though legal experts note the Constitution does not guarantee any outlet a seat in the White House briefing room or elsewhere on the grounds. Legal challenges to the ban are considered likely.
CNN, MSNOW and Politico had not issued formal responses at the time of the announcement.
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