President Trump and CNN are now in a state of war. Well, it’s CNN, Politico, and MSNBC — but every major network has joined them in solidarity, ending pool duties and much other coverage because the three initial networks were booted from the White House grounds. The reasoning was simple: they were fake news outlets that incessantly produced inaccurate reports about the White House. That edict was handed down on September 18, and within 24 hours they were barred from campus and relegated to doing their hits from the sidewalk across the street.
This is a First Amendment issue, they said. No, not really. They can still report on the White House, and their staffers aren’t being black-bagged and sent to the death camps. No one has an inherent right to access the White House; most consider it a privilege. Past Democratic presidents have barred outlets they don’t like. Biden revoked the passes of more than 440 reporters; Obama duked it out with Fox News. Under Biden, CNN debated whether banning Fox News was an option.
WATCH: @SalemMediaGrp won't play along with CNN's media stunt.
— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) September 21, 2026
"...our network will refuse to join this incredibly juvenile stunt, which is actually more like a RICO violation by mobsters than actions of legitimate American media."
That's right, baby. That's the media company…
Trump whipped you across the face with the belt again. You got owned again. And now he kicked some of you off. That’s life. Sure, they were going to file a lawsuit. They knew that before you could even react; the man knows the media’s next move before they even make it. The process is the punishment. I expect some little judge to order access reinstated, but for the time being, the shop is closed to the fake news press.
Some argue that Trump’s best moments come when he’s in open combat with the media in the Oval, and walling that that off isn’t the best move. I don’t dispute that, but we should also realize that this man will beat his own drum. Also, this move hurts the media more than Trump. He knows they hate him, but he’s already set for life, asset-wise. These networks, not so much. Backward, the mind reels to Ted Koppel’s 2018 remarks at the DC Press Club, which got under Brian Stelter’s skin: without Trump, CNN would be lost and their ratings in the toilet. That remains true today, especially for those with a ton of assets dedicated to 24/7 White House press coverage.
Video: To consternation of @BrianStelter, Ted Koppel contended during 10/1 Kalb Report @PressClubDC: “You would be lost without @realDonaldTrump. CNN’s ratings would be in the toilet without Trump.” Stelter: “Ted, you know that’s not true. You’re playing for laughs.” #NPCLive pic.twitter.com/XGZl9yNzqh
— Brent Baker 🇺🇲🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@BrentHBaker) October 3, 2018
So, onward with your day, Mr. President. Whatever happens, happens with this latest salvo with the media.
