USA22 September, 20262 min read
Melania Trump’s Office Approves CNN Reporter Betsy Klein Despite Donald Trump’s White House Ban
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Melania Trump's office credentialed CNN reporter Betsy Klein to cover her NYC event. This credentialing occurred despite Donald Trump's ban on CNN access to the White House.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Melania allows CNN
First Lady Melania Trump’s office approved CNN reporter Betsy Klein to cover her “Fostering the Future Together” event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, despite President Donald Trump’s White House media ban. CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter said, “We’re going to see reporters get creative,” as he described how a CNN reporter had been approved by the office of the First Lady to cover Melania Trump on the sidelines of the UN tomorrow.
Donald Trump announced on Friday that he banned CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, and he framed the decision as a response to outlets “write or report FICTION and LIES” when covering the President of the United States. CNN said its journalists had their credentials revoked and were denied access to the White House, and CNN added, “We have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government.”
Pool coverage suspended
The White House television press pool suspended its coverage of President Donald Trump in protest against the media access restrictions, and the impact showed up when Trump’s remarks became inaudibleduring the inauguration of a new helipad on the White House South Lawn. Brian Stelter said the press ban would push reporters to “try and get credentialed in other ways,” and he pointed to a CNN reporter already approved by the office of the First Lady to cover Melania’s UN event.
Betsy Klein said she learned only after her press badge failed to work at a security checkpoint that it had been deactivated and would be confiscated. Trump pushed back on the accusations, claiming the ban was not an attack on press freedom but an “assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America.”
Lawsuits and retaliation
CNN, Politico and MS NOW filed a lawsuit against Trump and several advisers, and the outlets called the restrictions a “direct assault on the First Amendment” and a “blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles.” A judge hearing the case gave the Trump administration until Tuesday to respond, and the White House television pool suspended its coverage of Trump as the dispute over press access escalated.
The New York Times said it would not publish or distribute images taken as part of the White House still photography pool on Monday, and Charlie Stadtlander said, “Americans deserve a free and independent media covering their government without intimidation.” The dispute also led the White House to launch “Trump TV,” a 24/7 streaming platform carrying administration announcements, presidential remarks and other coverage related to the US President.