Trump declares 'fake news' a 'national security' threat after CNN, MS NOW, Politico sue

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump intensified his confrontation with the press on Monday, September 21, declaring that what he calls “FAKE NEWS” has become a national security threat that “must be stopped, NOW!”

His statement came hours after CNN, MS NOW and Politico announced a federal lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to block their reporters from the White House. 

The outlets say the restrictions violate their First Amendment rights and are seeking the restoration of their access.

Trump reframes media fight as security threat

“The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He then drew a distinction between the free press and what he described as “FAKE NEWS,” calling the latter “corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control.”

Trump said such reporting is “a threat to our National Security” and “must be stopped, NOW!”

His latest statement followed his Friday announcement that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would be barred from the White House.

Reporters from the three organizations were subsequently denied entry and had their press credentials disabled or confiscated, according to reports from the affected outlets and other news organizations.

Trump did not identify specific reporting in Monday’s post that he considered a national security threat.

Earlier, he described the three organizations as “fake news” and criticized their coverage.

CNN’s transcript of his Friday remarks shows him defending the restrictions on the grounds that he did not want reporters entering the White House to write what he called fake stories.

Three outlets take dispute to court

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico said on Monday that they had notified the administration that they were filing a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Their complaint argues that the White House retaliated against them because of their reporting and discriminated against their viewpoints.

The organizations also argue that their Fifth Amendment due-process rights were violated because the credentials were revoked without notice or an opportunity to contest the decision.

They are asking the court to declare the restrictions unconstitutional and issue an injunction restoring their White House access.

“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights,” the three outlets said jointly.

The case puts Trump’s stated distinction between “Free Press” and “FAKE NEWS” directly against the organizations’ claim that the government cannot condition press access on whether officials approve of coverage.

CNN loses Monday press pool slot

The dispute has already affected the White House’s daily media operations.

The administration’s latest press-pool rotation did not include CNN, despite the network’s role in carrying the television video feed for the pool on Monday.

CNN is one of five broadcasters that traditionally shares presidential video-pool responsibilities with ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.

Its exclusion means another network must cover the role unless the arrangement changes.