President Donald Trump announced he would ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, prompting a swift response from the cable news network and its counterclaims from the White House rapid response team.
CNN stated it stands “fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” emphasizing that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to report without government interference. The outlet warned that any ban would constitute an “illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally protected right.”
The White House rapid response team countered by citing incidents they alleged were hoaxes perpetrated by CNN, including the Jussie Smollett case, the NASCAR noose hoax, and the Russia collusion hoax.
Additionally, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression issued a statement: “When the White House opens its doors to the press, it must comply with the First Amendment.” The group added that “the president is as free as any other person to criticize media coverage. But he can’t ban outlets from the White House just because he doesn’t like their reporting or commentary.” They further noted that “press credentials aren’t a reward for loyalty to the government. A free, even adversarial, press is a sign of our country’s strength.”
