Why Banning the Press Backfires - and How the White House Should Fight Back
When President Trump announced on Truth Social last Friday that CNN, MSNOW, and Politico were barred from the White House, the media went into immediate overdrive. Within minutes, the usual talking heads were screaming about “unconstitutional attacks on press freedom” and “First Amendment violations.”
If you’re a regular viewer of my show, you know I always look at these battles through two lenses: Policy and Politics.
1. The Policy: There is a fundamental difference between freedom of the press and unfettered access. The First Amendment protects these outlets’ right to write and publish whatever they want without government censorship - they can still do that today. Zero restrictions have been placed on their ability to report.
Access, however is where courts draw the line. While journalists don’t have an absolute right to go anywhere they want, courts have consistently ruled that White House press spaces are public access areas. I saw this firsthand during my time behind the podium. When my successor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, revoked press passes for CNN’s Jim Acosta and Playboy’s Brian Karem (proof I guess there are articles), federal courts forced the White House to reinstate them. I’m no lawyer, but if I had bet where the court comes down on this, the media will likely win this round in court.
2. The Politics & Strategy: I completely understand the President’s frustration. The media bias against this administration isn’t just obvious - it’s ridiculous. And the hypocrisy is off the charts. Remember when CNN’s Brian Stelter openly argued for banning Fox News? Or when the Biden administration quietly kicked out over 400 independent journalists by making the qualifications for a White House press pass out of reach for many independent journalists? The mainstream press was silent.
But banning them outright was bad strategy - especially on Friday. The President was making a massive, historic announcement in the Oval Office: all 50 states joining a groundbreaking initiative to drastically lower prescription drug costs for Medicaid. It was a huge policy victory that directly impacts millions of American families. But because of the timing of the Truth Social post right before the event, the press ignored the healthcare win entirely and focused 100% of their coverage on the media ban. The media focused on themselves, shocking I know.
Instead of giving them a courtroom battle that distracts from major victories, there are two much more effective ways to play this - and win.
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Stories I’m reading…
Hasan Piker insists Middle East would be ‘more stable’ if Iran had nuclear weapons during Axios interview - via Fox News
Trump announces cheaper drugs for state Medicaid programs - via Axios
Scoop: NRSC spends $46.5 million on coordinated campaigns - via Axios
Mikie Sherrill is grounded. Investigation into her LG keeps rising Democrat in New Jersey - via Politico
WATCH: Undercover Video Shows Democrat Roy Cooper Refusing to Apologize to Murder Victims’ Families - via Breitbart
Winning over AI skeptics - via Axios
Exclusive: Undercover Video Shows James Talarico’s Pastor Supporting Atheists, If You ‘Hate Religion We’re On The Same Team’ - via Breitbart
Trump admin won’t give AI leaders a ‘liability shield,’ Bessent tells CNBC - via CNBC
I’m a Democrat in Congress. NY should re-elect Mike Lawler | Opinion - via lohud
Democrats Fume After Jared Golden Endorses a Republican in a Key Race - via The Washington Sun
Virginia Democrat Shannon Taylor Has Long History of Soft-On-Crime Advocacy - via Breitbart
MN Dem Senate candidate’s viral hijab video takes new turn as woman beside her faces major state investigation - via Fox News
George W. Bush and Cornyn Leave Out Paxton as They Raise Cash for Senate Candidates - via The New York Times
China’s Xi expected to press Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales under 1982 agreement, sources say - via Reuters
The Midterm Senate Spending Reality
To understand why controlling the narrative matters so much right now, you only have to look at where campaign money is flowing across the country.
Look at the September ad spending data across major Senate races:
In Texas, spending has exploded past $60 million, with Republicans pouring in tens of millions to hold the line.
In Ohio and Michigan, total ad spending is blowing past $30 million and $25 million respectively, as both parties battle for crucial battleground states.
In North Carolina, Iowa, and Maine, millions more are being spent on airwaves every single week.
When hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured into Senate battlegrouds to shape public opinion, the White House cannot affort to let mainstream media hijack major policy wins like lower prescription drug prices. Every time a major win gets buried by the media, it hurts candidates running in tight races across the map.
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