Trump says he's banning 3 outlets from White House in his latest attack on press freedom

Geoff Bennett:

Well, President Trump today also announced he's banning three major news outlets, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, from the White House, accusing them of reporting what he calls fake news.

In a social media post, the president said -- quote -- "Media outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report fiction and lies." And he suggested other news organizations could face similar action.

Later in the Oval Office today, Mr. Trump said this:

President Donald Trump:

They purposely write negative news. And they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.

Geoff Bennett:

Our White House correspondent, Liz Landers, joins us now.

Liz, it's great to see you.

So, what did the president say to justify this action?

Liz Landers:

Well, the president admitted today that there was no particular reason why this happened today. He, of course, has gripes with the press almost all the time. He makes that very clear when he speaks publicly and also in social media posts.

But he, as you mentioned, says that these news outlets write negative news, though he did not specifically say which news stories he is talking about. This is another troubling escalation from a president that has attacked the First Amendment and the free press in his first administration and now in his second one.

During his first administration, he banned particular reporters, but not entire news outlets, like we're seeing today. This term, the Associated Press has been removed from the press pool, which PBS is a part of, and the White House has taken over the pool rotation.

The president was asked in the Oval Office today in the afternoon when those badges were being pulled. We as White House reporters have badges that we wear. He said he didn't know, but he wants the ban to go as far as it can. He says that other outlets may be added to this list, Geoff.

Geoff Bennett:

And how are the outlets themselves responding to all of this?

Liz Landers:

CNN is still reporting from the White House, and they have also released a statement from CNN P.R. saying that they stand by their fair and accurate reporting, and they add that if this ban goes into effect, it will be "an illegal assault on constitutionally protected right to free speech."

Politico said that their outlet will continue to defend their First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them. Leading press freedom groups are also reacting to this. The Freedom of the Press Foundation said in a statement -- quote -- "It's difficult to imagine a more blatant violation of the First Amendment than Trump banning news outlets from the people's house for criticizing the government. It's also hard to imagine a dumber move."

And, Geoff, former Republican White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer took to X to say that banning certain news outlets is not the solution to this. He said, instead, try to win the argument with reporters. So we are seeing Republicans push back on this as well.

Geoff Bennett:

OK, Liz Landers, thanks, as always.

Liz Landers:

Of course.