"Why Should I Give 'Access' to Those People?": Trump Lashes Out at CNN and Other Media

U.S. President Donald Trump once again lashed out this Monday at several media outlets that he denied access to news coverage inside the White House, considering that, in his view, they lie and publish fake news to attack his administration.

"As expected, CNN, Politico (Give back the 8 million dollar contribution the U.S. government made to keep them afloat!) and MSNOW (formerly known as MSDNC!) have filed a lawsuit to access the White House and its President, ME!" Trump wrote via Truth Social.

In response, the president stated that "unfortunately" the lawsuit will be heard by Tim Kelly, whom he described as "an excellent judge" who was appointed to the position by himself. In that regard, he recalled that this judge was the one who ruled in favor of CNN journalist Jim Acosta in 2018 and ordered his White House press credential restored, after he was banned by Trump over a tense discussion they had at a press conference that ended with the reporter's expulsion from the room.

"In other words, almost without a doubt and, as always, we will appeal because fake news people and publications that only write negatively and that violate our national security by writing false and defamatory stories with unknown 'sources' should not have access to the most important office in the world," Trump said in reference to the Oval Office, where he regularly offers statements and exchanges with the press.

In his view, the office in question "must be treated with decorum, respect and dignity" and "not profaned by third-rate clowns who deliberately distort, misrepresent and degrade with everything they write or publish," said Trump, who stated that "practically all stories" about him or related to his administration published by those outlets are "negative, false and, in many cases, dangerous" for the U.S.

"No matter how great my achievements are, they trivialize and denigrate them. The fact is that I won in the seven swing states, the popular vote, the Electoral College (312 to 226) and the counties across the U.S. with 86%, and yet it is reported that I receive 94% bad publicity. With such a corrupt and dishonest press, how could I win by such a landslide victory? It is because the media lack credibility, and that is very bad for our nation!" complained the occupant of the White House.

In that sense, Trump returned to his radical stance on banning access to his office for these media outlets that make him uncomfortable. "Why should I give 'access' to those people? Maybe Judge Kelly could explain it! In any case, I have an obligation to fight for the success and security of our country. Fake news is a threat to democracy, and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that the U.S. prospers," he added.