Donald Trump publicizes ‘ban on the free press’ in livid White House meltdown as he kicks out CNN and Politico

In a furious meltdown, the President said CNN, Politico and MS Now, the TV channel formerly known as MSNBC, because they don’t report the news in a way that he likes

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Donald Trump said he was “banning the free press” last night, as he moved to throw several news outlets out of the White House.

In a furious meltdown, the President said CNN, Politico and MS Now, the TV channel formerly known as MSNBC, because they don’t report the news in a way that he likes. Claiming the outlets were “unfair” and “dishonest”, Trump said it was a “very simple ban. I don’t want them in my office, I don’t want them here. I would say the ban will go as far as you can. If they could straighten themselves out I’d love it.”

Referring to the move as the “ban on the free press”, Trump threatened to ban several other outlets including the New York Times and the Washington Post in future.

And he ranted about ABC News and the BBC – falsely claiming the BBC had edited his incendiary January 6 speech to “put words in my mouth” and make it appear he had said words he had not. Trump tried to ban now former CNN reporter Jim Acosta from the White House during his first term, but the move was overturned by courts.

The access of news outlets to cover the president is protected under the first amendment to the US Constitution – something a reporter reminded Trump of during a wild Q&A in the Oval Office. “Oh, thankyou for telling me that,” Trump said, sarcastically.

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Asked if he was trying to “intimidate” the press, Trump said: “No, no, no. I dislike dishonest press, like you, I think you’re terrible. I like to see honest press.”

Asked how the move was constitutional, Trump said: “I don’t think someone should be allowed to come in and write fake stories….It’s sick. There’s something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories. Now, if they want to write them that’s fine, but I don’t have to let them into my…into the people’s house.”

Another reporter noted that Xi Jinping, President of China is coming to the White House next week – and that China is one of the most repressive countries for journalists in the world. “I don’t know about that,” Trump said, apparently defending China’s record. “We’re repressive also. We get fake news. We don’t repress, but we get fake news.”

Trump repeatedly claimed his poll numbers were good, despite them being among the worst approval ratings for any president in history. He’s facing a huge humiliation in November’s midterm elections, with both the House of Representatives and the Senate, along with several key governor’s races likely to go to the Democrats.

Trump last week announced a desperate trillion dollar bribe ahead of the election, offering a $5,000 (£3,700) cheque for every American adult if Republicans maintain control of both houses. In the Oval Office, he said: “We are giving Republicans – and I say Republicans because I think everybody’s going to be a Republican, actually – we are giving the people of our country $5,000 if the Republicans win.”

At the time of writing, CNN reporters said they remained in the White House and no action had been taken to remove them.

“CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting. We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government,” the network said in a statement. “Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right.”