After Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from the White House, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News refused to staff the rotating TV pool. The White House launched a “TRUMP TV” YouTube stream; the three outlets sued for immediate restoration of press access.
The outlets’ complaint alleges that the White House revoked credentials without notice or process because it objected to their reporting, and asks a judge to find the ban unconstitutional. The administration argued that White House access is a privilege, not a right, and that the ban does not violate the First Amendment. A hearing was set for Wednesday; Trump said he would appeal any ruling against him.
At Monday’s helipad unveiling, Trump spoke without the microphone normally provided by the pool and was nearly inaudible on the White House feed. The new stream said it would collect administration videos and highlights; its first video showed Trump’s July 3 remarks at Mount Rushmore.
