President Donald Trump's war on the press took a disturbing new turn on Friday, September 18. He posted a message on Truth Social barring three news outlets from the White House, "effective immediately." They are CNN, Politico, and MS NOW.
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Donald Trump's loathing of the media is nothing new. He coined the phrase "fake news" to describe any story that is not completely, fawningly favorable to him. Trump openly tongue-lashes reporters, sometimes while cameras are rolling, especially women like Maggie Haberman of The New York Times and Kaitlan Collins of CNN. However, attempting to forbid news organizations from doing their job alarmingly elevates Donald Trump's campaign of nasty rhetoric against them.
Trump's Post on Truth Social
The president wrote this message on Truth Social. It sent ripples of concern and indignation through the Fourth Estate.
"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 $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...."
There Was Swift Reaction
Per CNN Business, the network pushed back on Trump. In a statement, CNN said, "CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting. We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."
Politico said that it "will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones. We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them."
MS NOW has not yet had a response.
Is Donald Trump bluffing about evicting these three news organizations from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? We'll see.
