President Donald Trump identified The New York Times and the Washington Post as potential targets for exclusion from the White House during a press interaction on Friday, labeling both publications as "disgusting" and "fake news." This statement followed his recent announcement barring CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from accessing the presidential residence. When Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey asked if other outlets would be banned next, Trump immediately named The New York Times and Washington Post.
Clarification on Current Bans
Despite labeling both newspapers as "crummy papers" that are doing poorly in their respective markets, Trump clarified that he has not yet taken the step of banning them. He stated, "We're probably not going to display the paper anymore in the White House... But we haven't taken the step of throwing 'em out." The President emphasized his disdain for what he perceives as negative coverage, asking reporters why outlets would take positive stories and make them appear negative when things are doing well.
Enforcement Against CNN
The administration's stance on press access has moved from announcement to enforcement. Trump announced the ban on CNN, MSNBC, and Politico earlier in the week. Journalists from all three outlets were denied access to the White House on Saturday morning. This move represents a significant shift in how the presidential staff manages media interactions within the executive branch compound, as this newspaper reported in Donald Trump Launches Personal Attack On CNN’s Kaitlan Collins In New Rant.
First Amendment Remarks
The President's comments also touched upon constitutional protections for the press. When a reporter noted that freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment, Trump responded with sarcasm, saying, "Oh, thank you for telling me." This exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the administration and major news organizations. Trump has frequently dismissed reporting he dislikes as "fake news" since entering politics a decade ago.
