‘Fake news is a threat to democracy’: Trump hits back as 3 outlets challenge White House ban

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump responded Monday, September 21, to a legal challenge from CNN, Politico and MS NOW by declaring that “FAKE NEWS IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.”

Trump argued that the outlets he accused of false and defamatory reporting should not have access to the Oval Office, escalating his dispute with the three news organizations.

The posts came after the outlets said they would file a First Amendment lawsuit challenging the White House decision to block their access.

Trump says fake news threatens democracy

Trump wrote on Truth Social that CNN, Politico, and MS NOW had “brought suit to gain access to the White House, and your President, ME!” 

He said he expected an appeal and argued the outlets should not be given access because of what he described as negative and dangerous reporting.

“FAKE NEWS IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY,” Trump wrote, adding that he would do whatever he considered necessary to ensure the United States “thrives.”

Trump also defended the broader press restrictions in a separate post Monday, writing that the White House was not attacking the free press but instead “instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS.”

He described what he called fake news as “corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control,” and said it was “a threat to our National Security.”

Trump specifically accused CNN, Politico, and MS NOW of reporting negatively about him and said outlets that publish what he considers false or defamatory stories should not have access to the Oval Office.

Trump further wrote: “It is called the Oval Office, and it should be treated with Decorum, Respect, and Dignity, not defiled by Third Rate Clowns, who purposefully distort, twist, and degrade with everything they write or publish.” 

“Virtually every story about me, or anything having to do with me, is negative, wrong and, in many cases, DANGEROUS for our Country! No matter how GREAT my Achievements, they trivialize and demean,” he added. 

Three outlets challenge White House exclusion

The three news organizations said Monday they planned to file a lawsuit arguing that the White House violated their constitutional rights by blocking their access over the weekend.

“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the outlets said in a joint statement.

They said the White House had revoked their journalists' credentials “because it objected to our reporting” and argued that the action threatened press freedom and the public's access to independent journalism.

The complaint argues that the administration violated the outlets' First Amendment rights by retaliating against their reporting and discriminating based on viewpoint. 

It also argues that their Fifth Amendment rights were violated because the ban was imposed without due process.

The organizations asked the court to declare the ban unconstitutional and sought an injunction that would block enforcement and restore their White House access.

President Trump says restrictions are about cumulative coverage

The dispute follows Trump's announcement Friday that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were being barred from the White House.

Trump accused the outlets of “reporting FAKE NEWS” and said they should not be able to “constantly write or report FICTION and LIES” about the president. He also indicated that other outlets could face similar treatment. 

Asked Friday whether a specific incident prompted the decision, Trump said there was not one. 

“It's really just cumulative stories over the past few years,” he said.