Major news outlets banned by Trump will have their day in court

As CNN, MSN and Politico await a court hearing on Wednesday regarding President Donald Trump's ban on their presence at the White House, reporters from these news outlets covered his visit to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Trump expressed surprise at their presence, stating that they should not be covering him. Despite Trump's ban, announced on social media on Friday, CNN has not indicated it would cease covering the President.

Trump justified his decision, claiming that the outlets should not publish "FICTION and LIES" about his presidency. The news organizations have since sued Trump and other members of his administration, arguing that his action violates the First Amendment's protections for free speech and a free press. They are seeking a temporary restraining order to block the ban in federal court in Washington, D.C.

Trump, who appointed Judge Timothy Kelly to the bench in 2017, criticized the judge, stating that he is not "particularly fair." Trump also raised concerns about national security, saying that his administration has the right to remove "fake news." Throughout his presidency, Trump has clashed with the media, denying access to numerous major news organizations, attacking journalists for their reporting, and promoting media outlets favorable to his administration.

This campaign against the press has been unprecedented, with Trump upending long-standing traditions by limiting access to many major news outlets, personally attacking journalists, and elevating media outlets seen as more supportive of his administration. He has also filed lawsuits against multiple news organizations. CNN, along with ABC, CBS, Fox News, and NBC, forms the primary White House television pool, sharing costs, coordinating coverage, and sharing footage.

CNN had planned to cover Trump's trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, but was unable to provide a pool feed. Consequently, other major TV networks suspended presidential pool coverage. In response, the White House launched a "Trump TV" stream on Monday, broadcasting videos and highlights of the administration's achievements.

A press freedom advocate criticized this move, calling it "a steady diet of government propaganda." During an interview on NBC's "Today" show on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not address whether he would alter his traveling press pool. When asked about the media ban, Rubio reiterated an incorrect claim made by Vice President JD Vance the previous day, stating that the outlets were not banned, when in fact they have lost access to the White House grounds.