Fact Check: Did Rubio say Trump won't talk with anyone working with banned media outlets?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the United Nations General Assembly, a rumor is circulating on social media platforms claiming that Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump would meet with Iranians this week, as long as they don’t work with the news outlets banned by the White House. The claim has sparked questions, with many calling for a fact-check.
Claim: Trump won't meet with people working for banned media outlets
The viral post that surfaced on Facebook has claimed that, when asked whether Trump would meet with Iranians at the UN this week, Rubio allegedly said, “President Trump is willing to meet with anyone, as long as they don’t work for CNN, MS NOW, or Politico.”
The claim has sparked mockery and criticism from critics and netizens, an indication that they believe that it is true. Meanwhile, a few others questioned the authenticity of the viral claim, prompting a fact-check.
Fact Check: Marco Rubio made no such remark
However, the claim is false, as there are no records of Rubio stating that Trump would meet with anyone except the media outlet banned from the White House.
If Rubio had really made such a remark, it would not have gone unreported by prominent newsmedia outlets, but a search on Google for the claim yielded no such reports.
Although Rubio on Wednesday said that US-Iran talks held on the sidelines of the UNGA did not produce a breakthrough, there are no records of him making the above statement.
Referring to the arrangement and the events after the meeting, Rubio said, “They killed the MOU, they strangled it.”
Moreover, the claim originated from a popular online satirical newspaper called ‘The Borowitz Report ’; hence, the claim was intended as a parody made for the sake of engagement.
Donald Trump banned CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House
The claim is a satirical take on Trump’s announcement that reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW would no longer have access to the White House, accusing them of spreading “fake news,” and warning that other outlets could face similar treatment.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW … and Politico … from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
When asked about the ban, Trump told reporters, “Because they’re fake news. You get so tired of reading and seeing fake news. When you look at CNN, it’s just fake. That’s why their ratings are no good. When you look at MS NOW…, it’s fake news.”
