'Something must be done': Trump escalates media fight over Byron Donalds report

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump renewed his attack on news outlets while defending Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, demanding courts hold the media accountable over reporting he called false.

Trump's comments followed a federal judge's ruling that his administration's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House was likely unconstitutional.

He made the remarks in a Truth Social post on Saturday, September 26, responding to reports that Donalds had removed references to Trump's endorsement from his campaign website.

Trump calls Byron Donalds' website report fake story

Trump accused the media of trying to undermine his political standing after reports that Donalds had removed eight mentions of his endorsement from his campaign website's homepage, along with a photograph of the candidate and his wife with Trump.

The website also no longer featured a section titled "Enact the Trump Agenda" at the top of Donalds' policy priorities, according to a September 22 report by The Washington Post.

Trump rejected the reports, saying Donalds had immediately issued a statement and shared a picture to demonstrate that the story was false.

He also shared a post from Donalds on X in which the candidate defended his policy platform and criticized his Democratic opponent, David Jolly.

"Another Fake Story is that a very close friend of mine, a man I endorsed very early, Byron Donalds, is taking me off his website and Campaign materials," Trump wrote.

He accused several media organizations, including CNN, The Washington Post, The Guardian and The New York Times, of spreading the story.

Trump also claimed his popularity in Florida had increased since the election.

Trump said two rallies were already scheduled in Florida for Donalds and predicted they would be "SOLD OUT!"

President Trump demands courts act against media outlets

Trump's defense of Donalds quickly turned to a broader demand for action against news organizations, echoing his earlier criticism of outlets he accused of misrepresenting his administration.

"This was a Fake Story, with no sources," Trump wrote, before accusing the media of trying to stop his political momentum.

"The Fake News Media been doing this for years, I call them out, but they should really be called out by the Courts, and should not be allowed to enter the White House premises, or Press Room, because they are CORRUPT and DISHONEST!" he continued.

Trump added, "Something must be done about it."

His remarks came days after a federal judge ruled that the administration's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico was likely unconstitutional and ordered the outlets to be allowed back into the White House, at least for now.

The administration had barred the outlets over what Trump described as false reporting. The outlets subsequently reported being denied entry despite the court ruling, prompting a request for an emergency hearing.

Other media outlets could face White House ban, Trump had warned

The dispute over access to the White House continued during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington.

After the judge's ruling, some reporters from CNN and MS NOW were still denied entry to cover arrivals for a state dinner.

CNN said the White House had initially allowed only a photojournalist and audio technician to cover the event, excluding a reporter and producer.

MS NOW White House reporter Laura Barron-Lopez also said that she was informed she could not enter.

Reporters were let back in the following day, and normal coverage resumed for the last leg of Xi's visit.

Trump had announced the ban on September 18, accusing the outlets of publishing false reports and warning that other media organizations could face similar restrictions. 

In a court filing, Justice Department lawyers had also accused the outlets of threatening national security through their coverage of missile stockpiles, the White House ballroom's construction and the Republican midterm convention.

Trump's Saturday post extended his criticism to other organizations, including ABC, NBC, Forbes and the Washington Post, while reiterating his demand that courts hold the media accountable.