First lady Melania Trump waves as she boards an aircraft at Ashe County Airport in Jefferson. (AP Photo)
CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter said the approval was an example of reporters finding other ways to cover events after the White House restricted access to several news organisations. Trump had announced on Friday that CNN, Politico and MS NOW would be barred from the White House, accusing the outlets of publishing what he described as “fake news”. The outlets said their credentials were withdrawn without notice or due process. The networks said there would be no replacement pool coverage for the president’s events. Despite the restrictions at the White House, CNN has said it will continue covering the Trump administration.
Despite President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump’s office has approved a CNN reporter to cover her upcoming event in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Trump and several administration officials, arguing that the decision to revoke their White House access was unconstitutional. The move came into effect on Saturday, with reporters from the three organisations denied access to the White House.