Dr. Mehmet Oz defended President Trump’s move to restrict close White House access for certain outlets, arguing lack of access is more damaging than being treated harshly. Oz — discovered by Oprah Winfrey in 2004 and host of a daytime TV show from 2009–2022 (reportedly earning ~$20M/year) — spoke to NewsNation’s Libbey Dean after the administration announced limits on CNN, MSNBC and Politico. He rejected the idea that the policy constitutes a press ban and contrasted it with a period of limited access under President Biden.
Dr. Mehmet Oz Defends Trump's Decision to Restrict Close Access for Some Outlets
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Dr. Mehmet Oz defended President Donald Trump's decision to restrict close White House access for certain news organizations, telling a NewsNation reporter that lack of access can harm outlets more than being snubbed — even though Oz built his own profile through television exposure.
Oz, who was discovered by Oprah Winfrey in 2004 and hosted a daytime television program from 2009 to 2022 (reportedly earning about $20 million a year), was intercepted by NewsNation's Libbey Dean as he left the White House shortly after the president announced he would bar CNN, MSNBC and Politico from close proximity on the grounds for publishing what the administration called "fake news." Dean asked whether Oz agreed with the decision to exclude those outlets.
"You know, I talk to your colleagues all the time about this," Oz replied. "They say invariably, 'He was mean to us, but you know what's really, really bad for us? If he doesn't talk to us.'"
Oz praised former White House press secretary Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' characterization of the situation and said the president engages fully with the reporters who are present. He recounted a conversation with a foreign colleague who told him being treated harshly by a leader did not hurt her work — losing direct access would.
He also compared the current administration's approach to press access with President Biden's earlier period of limited engagement: "In fairness, President Biden didn't speak to the press for a year and a half, basically. So, all of the press had a ban for a year and a half." Oz described the White House environment that day as crowded and hot but noted that the president continued to engage with the assembled reporters.
When Dean suggested the move might violate the First Amendment, Oz responded forcefully: "No, he's not banning media outlets! Media outlets can come and cover him. He doesn't want them around him." Oz framed the episode as an opportunity to see how the press responds when the administration pushes back and said outlets can still report even if they are not allowed into close quarters.
Context: The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between the White House and several national news organizations, and highlights a debate over how access, proximity and administration-press relations affect reporting.
Source: NewsNation; original coverage first appeared on Mediaite.
Help us improve.
