Trump says he is banning CNN and Politico from White House
Baku, September 19, AZERTAC
US President Donald Trump has announced that he is "immediately" banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, the latest twist in his fraught relationship with media outlets, according to BBC.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said that the outlets "constantly write or report fiction or lies" about his administration, although he provided no examples.
Trump later called it a "very simple ban", but did not explain how it would work. It is unclear whether employees of those outlets would be prevented from entering the White House grounds.
CNN swiftly slammed the move as an "illegal assault" on American press freedoms. The move by Trump is likely to be met with legal challenges.
Reporters from both Politico and CNN were still on the White House grounds shortly after the announcement was made.
A crew from CNN was also travelling with Vice-President JD Vance to and from an event in Iowa.
In a statement, the network called a potential ban illegal and said it "stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting".
We have a right under the US Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government," the CNN statement said. "Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."
Politico also released a statement, saying it would "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."
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