President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, triggering an immediate and defiant response from the cable network. CNN stated, “The public deserves to hear about its government from independent voices, not just its leader’s loyalists and allies.” The outlet emphasized it has a constitutional right to report without government interference, warning that any ban would constitute an “illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally protected right.”
In a countermove, the White House rapid response team listed alleged hoaxes purportedly perpetrated by CNN, including the Jussie Smollett case, the NASCAR noose hoax, and the Russia collusion hoax.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression condemned the ban in an official statement, asserting that “the White House must comply with the First Amendment” when it opens its doors to press. The group added: “Press credentials aren’t a reward for loyalty to the government. A free, even adversarial, press is a sign of our country’s strength.”
