Below is my column in the Hill on the banning of disfavored news outlets from the White House. Putting the legal challenges ahead for the Administration, it is an action that runs against the grain of our values and traditions.
Here is the column:
This week, it became apparent that everyone believes in a free press, as long as it costs them nothing.
Politicians in both parties are now using their offices to insulate themselves from opposing coverage — all in the name of protecting the public or the press.
President Trump has ordered the banning of critical media companies from the White House. Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting to block a corporate media merger on equally raw political grounds.
At the White House this week, President Trump declared, “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW … and Politico.” He then added that he did not understand why the courts allow the media to print “fake news,” raising the possible addition of censorship to banishment.
On Capitol Hill and across the country, Democrats were pursuing their own political litmus test for media. Twelve blue states are in court seeking to block the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. While framing their claims in dubious antitrust terms, many admit that they are trying to protect one of the very companies banned by Trump as a liberal platform: CNN.
Previously, Democrats shut down the government in part over a decision to withdraw government subsidies for another liberal news outlet, National Public Radio. Years ago, some Democrats even asked cable companies to consider dropping Fox News.
Both Trump and the Democrats are oblivious to the implications of their actions, blinded by the political costs of a free press and a free market.
There is little recognition, let alone remorse, among these politicians. For Trump, many in the public rallied to his side in condemnation of media bias during the last election. I have joined in the criticism of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico for their coverage. But this ban is a frontal assault on the free press itself, shattering long-standing principles maintained by past presidents.
Presidents have long condemned the media. George Washington referred to them as those “infamous scribblers.” Thomas Jefferson complained that “Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.” Yet they recognized that their oath to uphold the Constitution included a sacred duty to preserve and protect the free press.
For the Democrats, the opposition to the merger is equally transparent. Figures such as former Obama administration official Norm Eisen have opposed the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger as an attack on democracy itself. Their aim is to prevent the conservative David Ellison, chairman of Paramount Skydance, from gaining control of CNN as well as existing media assets such as CBS. Despite using antitrust law, he and others have made it plain that their aim is to preserve CNN and other outlets as liberal allies.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) declared that it is a power grab by the “oligarchs,” and that Ellison gaining control of CNN is “not acceptable. This merger must be opposed.”
Former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer called on Democrats to stop the merger to prevent an effort to “make CNN more MAGA-friendly.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) has warned that allowing the merger will “subvert CNN’s editorial independence.”
Notably, while MS NOW, CNN, and many of these individuals are condemning Trump’s announcement, they have eagerly joined the movement to block a lawful merger on political grounds. Others have pitched a deal where the merger can go through, but that they want CNN as “a strong consolation prize,” presumably to be sold to a liberal owner.
Again, there is little thought of the costs. There rarely is. When Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and others took credit for blocking the merger of Spirit Airlines with JetBlue, they declared it a victory for the Biden administration and the Democrats. Spirit Airlines then went bankrupt and all of its employees were fired.
In this case, CNN may be the Spirit Airlines of the media. It has been struggling with both revenues and ratings, despite occasional spikes. While the Democrats want to preserve the liberal platform that regularly features their interviews and narratives, CNN often operates dangerously close to the baseline on the key advertising demographic needed to keep the lights on.
Warner Bros. has lost billions. The merger would be good for both companies and their employees. Under the guise of opposing a monopoly, Democrats are opposing a deal that has been cleared by the European Commission and once-skeptical experts.
I have worked for four networks as a legal analyst for 30 years, and I want CNN to flourish. We need strong media companies. That means that we need to support both the free press and the free market in maintaining journalistically and financially strong media companies. That often means setting aside our personal disagreements with coverage to oppose political manipulation of the media by either party.
I previously have written about the media and free speech in an “age of rage.” Presidents and politicians have periodically allowed their anger or interests to overwhelm their judgment. President John Adams declared, “The liberty of the press is essential to the security of the state.” Yet, his administration targeted reporters and writers under the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts.
Politicians are again using their power to manipulate the press by limiting their exposure to media criticism. They are seeking to control what the public reads and watches to protect us from “fake news” or “corporate messaging.”
For centuries, politicians have played on our anger or partisanship to target the media. To defend the free press and the free market is not to agree with these companies or their coverage. It is to defend our right to make our own decisions on what news to read and whom to believe.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
#. The media has been the main driver of the US Meltdown, all of it. They choose what the people see and hear. They’ve introduced a new advocacy journalism when it should fall under political journalism. The entire media industry is corrupted by AI and the mandate of “news” 24/7/365 that led to all kinds of spin and repeats known as bunkum.
The power of the pen beats its chest like a malicious 🦍, Gorilla’s one and all. Just a total boycott is their loyalty to truth and the American people and not a lessening by this group and then that group which may have forced some to hear an opposing view. BOOO. 👇
Article II, Section 1, Clause 1
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Judges and justices may interpret and apply the Constitution, but they cannot transfer the executive Power vested by Article II to themselves or to another branch.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and of the press; it does not confer executive power or a right of physical access to the President’s office or home.
CNN and other news organizations enjoy the freedoms of speech and of the press wherever their physical presence is lawfully permitted. Those freedoms do not authorize trespass or
confer a right of access to nonpublic premises.
Courts disagree with your spin on the issue. Executive power does not allow the president to pick and chose which media are allowed access to the White House based on whether Trump likes their coverage of him. Trump doesn’t seem to understand that he doesn’t own the White House— the American people do.
Here’s a true story. When I was practicing law in NJ, I represented a small business that was targeted by “protestors” who blocked its entranceway. I brought suit on behalf of my client, to get a restraining order. Before trial, a local newspaper published an article describing the “protestors” blocking the entranceway. I served a subpoena on the reporter who wrote the article, for him to testify at trial. His newspaper hired a lawyer to quash the subpoena on the ground that in NJ reporters cannot be made to testify about anything. At the hearing to quash, I told the trial judge that I only wanted to ask the reporter two questions: (1) did you write the article; and (2) did you tell the truth when you wrote the article. The trial judge ruled in my client’s favor and denied the request to quash the subpoena. The lawyer for the newspaper filed an appeal. The appellate court ruled in favor of the newspaper and quashed the subpoena. (P.S.: My client got the restraining order without testimony from the reporter.). So ask yourself this question: if reporters don’t have to say whether what the print is true, why is the so-called Press in any way special? And by the way, who is the so-called Press?
Tell us: What gives Trump the right to lie constantly and then try to prevent media from reporting that he IS lying and to deny them access to the White House? What right do MAGA media have to defend Trump’s lies and to attack mainstream media?
We do not have the strongest economy in history, we do not have the lowest inflation or the lowest unemployment in history— all Trump lies. We do not have control of the Strait of Hormuz and gas and diesel prices will not drop precipitously once the illegal war is over. Iran was not on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon either.
“A Gaza journalist who has met with Mayor Mamdani and been honored with a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and a spot on the Time100 list admitted that he buried footage of Israeli hostages being beaten by a Palestinian mob on Oct. 7, 2023 in order to protect the perpetrators.” [New York Post, 9/21/2026} …… Give That Man A Press Pass?!?
Hunter Biden is selling “Press Passes” for $50!
Beware of Politicians Claiming to Protect Us from almost anything.
I believe in the free press, but free press also does not mean free to lie or free to defame. The press that lies and defames should be held accountable. Lawsuits by conservative fail in front of liberal judges.
Also Trump is not stopping CNN or M$Now from reporting on him. The first amendment supports a free press, but I don’t see where it guarantees equal access. Let’s not forget Biden pulling the credentials on over 400 reporters. It looks non-partisan at first glance but if you read the contents it protects legacy media while denying newer conservative media like NewMax and OAN.
Also don’t forget Biden froze the conservative media out. They might have been in the room, but they did not get called on. Biden had a list of approved sycophant media outlet reporters that had been chosen to ask. You could see him referring to that list and in his dementia he often talked about how he would get in trouble if he answered question from any other reporter. They asked hard hitting questions like what was Joe’s favorite flavor of ice cream.
You have to admit President Trump has been the most open and transparent President in Years. He hold many impromptu press sessions as he comes and leaves many places.
Remember this headline? “Google Admits Censorship Under Biden; Promises to End Bans of YouTube Accounts of Thousands of Americans Censored for Political Speech.”
Trump-Russia Collusion … Impeach him … His election by We the People be damned !!!
“Secret Service rushes Trump off stage after he falls at rally.” CNN headline. ‘Nuff said.
Ha Ha HA you fell for it, ‘Nuff said.
https://x.com/grok/status/2101363160313639329
It was a reposting of the 2024 CNN headline. It’s people like you that don’t deserve to vote, low IQ
After reading the first amendment several times, I don’t think ‘free press’ means an automatic All-Access pass to government to anyone, not even those covering government. It does mention ‘redress of greivences’, which is being done by ‘the free press’ as of this writing. Then again, ‘redress’ does not mean All-Access either.
This year’s Freedom Fest, the Northern Kentucky MAGA gathering known for drawing thousands of attendees and A-list conservative speakers, has been called off entirely just days ahead of its scheduled start on Saturday, according to organizer Eric Deters, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“I am never ever, ever, ever, ever doing this event again – ever,” Deters announced Monday in a video posted on his Facebook page.
The event, held annually at Deters’ Morning View farm about 25 miles south of Cincinnati, has previously featured live music, food trucks, fireworks and children’s entertainment alongside a lineup of prominent conservative figures, including Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Candace Owens in past years.
Deters said his budget for the event depended heavily on a small circle of wealthy contacts purchasing $1,000 VIP tickets, and not enough of those sold to pull off the event. He said he has a group of about a hundred of these donors who usually buy the $1,000 VIP tickets.
This year he sold 6 tickets.
The 2026 Freedom Fest WAS HELD in July and was a great success. It is held almost every year in Murray, Kentucky.
Eric Deters tried to replicate it with his own version of it on his private property. When celebrities found out, they canceled.
He tried it in 2022 and Donald Trump canceled, citing “conflicting plans.”
People confuse him with Derek Jeters, but Eric Deter is a big nobody plaintiff ambulance chaser, running for political office.
There are many events that use the name Freedom Fest, or Freedom Festival.
The one in Murray is simply the official July 4th celebration, put on by the city.
The one Deter runs has been held a number of times, and has drawn crowds up to 15,000. The general public is admitted for free, and Deters relies on his wealthy MAGA friends to pony up $1,000 each. This year only 6 people were willing to pay the $1,000.
No, clown, it has been held three times, only once (before people caught on) did it have any big names attend. ONly six people were willing to pay because they found out what a big pushover he is. Are you also the person who just posted about Trump falling at a rally,” clown
There is NO evidence that Deters EVER had a crowd of 15,000. It is true that years ago, he advertised that several national public figures were to appear. Attendance was FREE> There were a few thousand attending. But then Don Jr. and a few others learned what a shoe salesman Eric Deters really was. Thereafter, Deters also caNceled in 2022 or 2023 because people found out about him. and canceled out.’
“Freedom Fest’ Cancels Event After Trump Bails on Them.”
https://meidasnews.com/news/freedom-fest-cancels-trump
Forced to refund all ticket money.
Aug 14, 2023 8:35 PM EDT
By Ron Filipkowski
Are you his family member” Or maybe him? It was only published because the Lefty media wants to make it all about people losing interest in
No one is interested in Eric Deters. His Freedom Fest was canceled after he pled guilty to 2022 charges of menacing and harassing threatening communications and sentenced to 270 days in jail in 2023. THat’s why he got six numbnuts (probably relatives) to donate.
I love it when Trump makes the MSM screech.
Turley, ever the MAGA-purchased pundit says: “While framing their claims in dubious antitrust terms, many admit that they are trying to protect one of the very companies banned by Trump as a liberal platform: CNN.” The merger between Paramount and Warner Brothers would violate antitrust laws by reducing competition, an would drive up the cost for people wishing to view content and thus increase profits. BUT, it would also give a MAGA oligarch control over CNN, which he would gut immediately of anyone who won’t tow the MAGA line. So Turley claims that opposition to the merger is “dubious”. It is not. It is a blatant effort for Trump to try to drive CNN out of business, or at least prevent it from telling the truth about him and to control the messaging, just like MAGA media does. As an added bonus, his oligarch cronies would also make a lot more money. Cha Ching!
Why does Turley pretend that Trump isn’t the outrageous, incompetent, narcissistic, sociopathic liar that he is and that he exists to acquire power, glory and attention? Why does Turley pretend that MAGA isn’t really an arm of Project 2025, something Trump denied knowing anything about when polls proved that most Americans oppose it, and then proceeded to hire the architects of this assault on democracy and signed 180 Executive Orders they drafted on Day One? Why does Turley ignore Project 2025’s “solitary executive theory” which gives way more power to the president and takes it away from our elected representatives, which is anti-democratic, and which MAGA is trying to shove down our throats? MAGA does not like democracy because it gives the poorest and least powerful among us equal voice with the wealthy and powerful–at the ballot box. Why does Turley ignore the illegal war Trump started based on a lie, and all of the lying by his administration about the war–including reports that something like 22 American soldiers have been killed, and that Iran has done way more damage to our Middle East installations than the administration admits? Trump has no idea how to end the conflict and save face, but prices for everything, especially fuel continue to rise. Voters are fed up, which polls show. Trump’s approval rating today is under 30%. One of his latest lies is that his “triumphal arch” will be a drone-port to protect Washington, just like the gilded ballroom will also be a port from which to launch drones. Riiiiiiight! Does anyone believe this?
We need outlets like Politico, MSNOW, CNN that are not biased–because when they report adverse stories about Trump–the stories are true. MAGA media won’t report them, and if they mention them, they claim non-MAGA media is lying or they revert to attacks on Obama and/or Biden. We have a media war between legacy and non-MAGA media and Trump and MAGA-controlled media, and Trump is using the power of his office to try to do away with the non-MAGA media by calling them “fake” and rescinding their press access to the White House and Pentagon. When Trump lies and tries to blame Obama and/or Biden for problems he created, they push back, unlike MAGA media, set up by oligarchs to defend Trump and MAGA, to try to sway public opinion and try to create the illusion that legacy media are biased. Legacy media, especially the major television networks that have been around since television first went on the air, were NOT established with any political agenda–unlike MAGA media, established by oligarchs to defend Trump, attack Democrats, attack non-MAGA media, to keep those tax breaks, the rolling back of environmental and consumer protections, and rolling back of regulations–all to enrich themselves and their businesses. Plans for MAGA-type media began with Nixon’s resignation–the line was that if there were pro-Nixon media around to attack the Washington Post and Woodward and Bernstein, Nixon’s presidency could have been saved. MAGA media are the ones established with an agenda–to protect Trump and Republicans, attack Democrats and mainstream media.
gigi, we see your moniker and we just move on. Do you think people read your poop? Only newcomers who do not know your history.
Repeal the 19th Dumbmendment.
“But this ban is a frontal assault on the free press itself, shattering long-standing principles maintained by past presidents.” I prefer to ponder it is a good swift kiQ in the nutz…..
CNN in every airport in the world is the ‘frontal assault’
Who really cares what [bernie] or [jamie] thinks anyway¿
MAGAA1st approves of this merger
11b
If the price of gasoline is too high, you can save some money by buying a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla, and one other thing.
Legacy JournoListic privilege.
AI String: ( there is never a power vacuum )
The phrase “there is never a power vacuum” reflects the political maxim that political or governing space left open by a collapsing authority, retreating military force, or fallen leadership is immediately rushed into and claimed by competing factions, militant groups, or rival states.
When it comes to the Forth Estate (Media) this is so true. Yesterday it was William Randolph Hearst (i.e.: Charles Foster Kane – Citizen Kane), today its the Ellison(s) stepping up to fill the void.
The crosshairs focus changes from time to time; Rupert & Lachlan Murdoch, Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, Elon Musk [X], Ted Turner …
It’s a crowded field of Individuals and Families that own the business.
As noted by JT, the Executive Branch Oval Office has been the target of Media since our first President. Trump had to cut the Media loose in order to keep the Ship (Office of the President) upright and navigable.
I’m sure Trump will find happiness again, after January 2029 – Rosebud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_proprietor
Trump excels at being the most thin-skinned whiner the office of the President has known. He should be embarrassed to be so weak, but instead he thrives on it. Sad.
Mark does reality ever intrude on your world ?
Trump is in control, and he is having fun.
To an enormous extent he decides where the fight will be, what it will be about.
He acts – you react.
While you are ranting and raving about whatever his latest thumb of the nose at you – he has moved on.
He is not thin skinned – mostly he does not care about you.
Insult him – he punches back and moves on, while your still smarting and fighting about your last embarrassment.
You can dislike that approach – But the left invented it.
Trump is the master of “Alynsky’s rules for radicals.”
He has used your own methods against you.
President Trump has been falsely and wrongfully vilified by many in the news media, beginning with the Russia-Russia Hoax and continuing on to today. While I agree with Professor Turley that the First Amendment prevents the President from banning the offenders from the White House, neither he nor his staff has a duty or obligation to call upon them for their often stupid questions – one of the most egregious of which was whether he has considered using nuclear weapons against Iran. The goofballs can certainly present their “credentials”, gain entry to the press room, and write down/record what is said to the legitimate reporters that the President or his press secretary chooses to call upon.
Fox News has made a big mistake by joining the gaggle of offenders. On to Newsmax!
Trump has gotten more crap from the media than any prior president ever – but that game has grown thin. Like the boy who cried wolf.
While I wish the media was actually balanced rather than falling off the left edge of the world, that is not a requirement,
nor is there anything wrong with the media attacking a president. I want more of that not less. I want the same media that villifies Trump to hold democrats to the same standards to ask the same tough questions of those on the left.
The MSM does not – so we have a growing new media. Fine with me. That is how free markets work. Give people what they want or someone else will.
Can the president “ban” media because of their viewpoint ? NO!
But he can take away the priviledge of access based on their public relevance.
Fox owns 13 of the top 15 news programs and all of the top 5.
Megyn Kelley is daily beating them all – that is just one popular new media show selected at random.
The press at the WH should reflect the choices that american news consumers are making.
I don’t see this as a serious assault on the free press, as Professor Turley does.
The WH press briefings are broadcast live.
No one is prevented from reporting on what is said.
The press secretary can choose whom to call on to ask questions.
Little of genuine news value is conveyed in most cases.
This is getting publicity because it affects the privileges, status and sense of self-importance of a small group of biased media organisations. As issues go, it is trivial.
Very well said.
But of course, you fail to understand that Trump’s WH briefings will no longer be broadcast live.
Remember all 5 networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox operate pool coverage, whereby they take it in turn to provide the cameras and broadcast equipment everyday. There is not enough room for all 5 networks to each have their own camera teams, so they agree to just send one team on a rotating basis and share the coverage.
This morning the camera pool announced that they will no longer be providing live coverage of WH events.
TACO Trump will soon chicken out and reverse his decision to ban certain networks from the WH.
“This morning the camera pool announced that they will no longer be providing live coverage of WH events. TACO Trump will soon chicken out and reverse his decision to ban certain networks from the WH.”
The loss of the camera pool is nothing that can’t be replaced by three 12 year olds with new iPhones and high speed internet connections. Trump engaged in some really bad optics and the MSM is going to punish him for it. I think the MSM is being played, because all Trump cares about is that they spell his name correctly.
-g
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Well, today we saw the first example of what happens without network coverage.
Today Trump held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new WH helipad. The WH communications team tried to deliver a livestream of the event via their website and social media channels. They delivered video, but no intelligible audio. The audio was described as garbled static.
Newsmax was one of the few outlets that attempted to air the White House’s feed live. During the broadcast, anchor Bianca de la Garza had to explain to viewers that there was no usable audio because the pool cameras and their microphones were missing. The network pool brings in specialized high-tech directional microphones and booms that are able to capture audio of the speakers and exclude background noise. The microphones used by the WH cannot do this. All they recorded was the noise from the helicopter running in the background.
And?
So?
So?
So how long do think the narcissistic psychopath will be willing to tolerate the absence of daily live coverage of his performances.
OMG!!!
“They delivered video, but no intelligible audio. The audio was described as garbled static.”
What a national scandal!!!! A national security threat!!!!! No audio at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new WH helipad?
Quick! Go to DEFCON 1!!!!!!
I volunteer to run CSPAN’s camera OK? Also, I will ask the questions too. This press pool is not essential to our republic.
I think we’ll live without MSM lying to us.
C-SPAN does not have its own cameras or personnel to cover events. They rely entirely on the joint White House television network pool to provide its raw video feeds of presidential movements and events, and therefore it was forced to opt out of covering the ceremony.
C-Span posted the following statement this morning:
“Without a pool feed, we will not be showing the 1:45pm White House event.”
Daniel,
I agree.
I did say the other day I did not agree with what Trump did. But I can understand why.
Aside MSM, who really watches WH press conferences live?
Seems more like a who gets to sit at the cool kid table at lunch, or who was seen at some over priced restaurant on a Saturday night.
Fake Farmer
As usual you completely miss the point.
Few people may watch the WH press conferences live. But the point is that the video footage from the event is used in the evening news on all the networks. Now there is no network coverage of the events. There is no video on the networks, including Fox who is participating in the boycott. Not even C-SPAN is providing video.
How long do you think the narcissistic psychopath will tolerate not being on the evening news on any of the networks.