President Donald Trump attempted to clarify his ban on a trio of media outlets on Monday morning, hours after a joint announcement that they would be suing the White House.
In a Truth Social post on Monday morning, Trump said he actually “cherishes” the free press.
“The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” he said.
Instead, he says his ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico is an attack on the “FAKE NEWS,” which he claims is spreading “like Cancer.”
“It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America,” Trump added in his post. “It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The president’s Monday message followed an announcement he made on Friday. In another Truth Social post, Trump said he would be banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, with more news organizations possibly to follow.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them ‘alive.’ Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote.
He added: “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”
The following day, reporters from those outlets learned that their press credentials at the White House were revoked.
