President Trump barred CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House and had certain reporters' credentials deactivated, prompting the television pool to suspend live video coverage in protest. He attacked CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins on Truth Social and called the networks "sick, treasonous, and demented." The affected outlets filed a federal lawsuit challenging the ban; the Justice Department filed a brief defending the administration. Trump also criticized U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who is overseeing the case.
Trump Intensifies Media Crackdown — CNN, MSNBC and Politico Barred; Reporter Called 'Sick, Treasonous, And Demented'
Donald Trump on Truth Social Donald Trump
President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with major news organizations late Tuesday, ordering CNN, MSNBC and Politico barred from White House grounds and having the affected reporters' press credentials deactivated.
What Trump Said
"All of the SLEAZEBAGS, like Third Rate 'Reporter,' Kaitlan Collins, of Fake News CNN, a truly unhappy person, said they weren't going to be covering me. Then why were they ranting and raving like Lunatics, in the Press Area, at the United Nations? Why was she there?"
In a separate post, Trump renewed personal attacks on CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins and the networks, writing that "They're all sick, treasonous, and demented!"
Coverage And Context
No news organization formally announced it would stop covering the president. Nevertheless, the television pool — which provides live video feeds of certain White House events — suspended live video coverage in protest of the ban. That suspension reduced availability of official recordings for some events, though reporters continued to cover Mr. Trump in other ways.
Collins was in New York covering the U.N. General Assembly when she was singled out by the president.
Legal Fight And Reactions
The news organizations filed a federal lawsuit seeking to restore access, and the Justice Department filed a brief defending the administration's decision to restrict the outlets' credentials. Trump also criticized the judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly — whom Trump appointed in 2017 — calling him "totally disloyal" after Kelly previously ruled against Mr. Trump in a media-related matter.
Other Notable Details
Minutes after his posts, Trump shared a video that mocked a television reporter by showing a man putting on a dress and makeup to impersonate a "fake news" CNN correspondent.
This dispute has amplified questions about press access, the role of pool coverage, and protections for journalists who cover the presidency. News organizations and press advocates have protested the ban and emphasized the importance of an independent press.
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