After being denied entry to the White House premises last Saturday morning, news platforms CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are now seeking legal action against the Trump administration, arguing the removal violates their First Amendment Rights as the press. Upon arrival, reporters and photographers had their press badges confiscated and were asked to leave. This removal comes after President Trump’s nods of accusing the publications, among others, of spreading what he considers “fake news” about him and his team.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MS NOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $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! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” President Trump posted on Truth Social the afternoon of Friday, September 18.
According to AP News, the lawsuit was filed on Monday, September 21 and came after learning of the ban ahead of the president’s attendance to the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. Media outlets such as AP News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Fox News have stood in solidarity with the banned news publishers by taking a step back from White House pooled coverage and not publishing photos from Monday’s meeting until a resolution is reached.
“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. Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,” the joint statement between the three news giants read. Individual statements from MS Now and CNN echoed similar sentiments.
Soon after the announcement that the aforementioned news platforms were being banned from the White House, the launch of Trump TV was announced on social media. Trump TV: The Essentials Station is intended to house dedicated news content to follow the life, decision-making, and overall moves of the president throughout the remainder of his term. The timing between the ban and the platform’s launch has led many to question whether the two were intentionally timed.
As of Thursday, September 24, Judge Timothy Kelly of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., has lifted President Trump’s ban on the aforementioned outlets temporarily as legal proceedings continue.