CNN’s Brian Stelter warns Trump’s White House press ban could affect his time on camera

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter is highlighting an unexpected issue with President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House.

During a discussion on Saturday, September 19, Stelter said removing major news outlets from the regular press rotation could create practical problems for covering Trump.

The comments came after journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied access to the White House on Saturday, following Trump’s abrupt announcement on Friday.

Brian Stelter explains the White House camera rotation

Stelter said CNN, MS NOW, ABC, NBC, and Fox News are the five major television networks that take turns working around the clock to keep a camera with Trump when he is in public.

According to Stelter, that rotation depends on the networks having the infrastructure, money, and resources to follow the president day and night.

“The reality is, that those MAGA media outlets that ask him fawning questions and make him feel really good with their, you know, with their softballs, they don't have the infrastructure, the money, the resources, the willingness to do the actual day-in, day-out work of traveling with the president, of covering him 24/7, of being there days and nights,” he said.

The journalist argued that banning major networks could therefore create a practical problem for the White House rather than simply changing which reporters ask questions.

Trump could face a camera gap on Monday

Stelter pointed to Monday as a possible test of how the new arrangement could work.

He said CNN is scheduled to be part of the rotation that day, creating a situation in which the White House could have to decide whether to continue enforcing the ban or allow CNN back in for its turn.

“Because it is CNN's turn to be in the rotation on Monday, there will be a moment, there will be a question at that moment, about whether the White House continues to enforce this undemocratic, unconstitutional rule or whether the White House will go ahead and let CNN in,” Stelter said.

He also said the president “deeply cares about” being on camera regularly and suggested the ban could reduce how often Trump appears on television.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico barred from White House

Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House after accusing them of being “FAKE NEWS!” and saying they were trying “to diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.”

Journalists from all three outlets were denied access on Saturday.

Trump also mentioned The New York Times and Washington Post as other organizations he considers “fake news” when asked which outlets could be next.

The dispute has now raised questions about how White House press coverage will operate if major outelts remain excluded.

Brian Stelter says Trump 'wants attention but not accountability'

Stelter argued that removing a network from the regular camera rotation could affect more than the reporters themselves.

“We will be in a situation on Monday where if there is no pool camera, if there is no broadcaster that's with the president, then suddenly he's not going to be on camera in the same way,” he said.

Stelter then offered his larger view of the president's relationship with the press, saying, “Trump wants attention but not accountability. He wants the cameras and, in some cases, the photos, but he doesn't want the pesky questions and the people pointing out that he's lying.”

The journalist concluded that “in the United States, you cannot have the attention without the accountability,” arguing that Trump’s efforts to separate the two have not worked.