The White House is facing criticism for excluding The Wall Street Journal from covering President Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland, a move interpreted as punishment for the newspaper’s critical coverage. Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, condemned the decision, calling it a violation of the First Amendment. The exclusion came after the Journal reported that Trump had sent Jeffrey Epstein a controversial birthday card in 2003, which included a suggestive drawing and friendly comments.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cited the Journal’s “fake and defamatory conduct” as the reason for their exclusion without specifically referencing the Epstein article. Following the report, Trump filed a $10 billion libel lawsuit against the Journal, its publisher, and key staff, claiming defamation. Dow Jones, the Journal’s publisher, defended the article, asserting confidence in its accuracy and readiness to fight the lawsuit.
Jiang urged the White House to reconsider, emphasizing that retaliation against media outlets undermines free speech and independent journalism. A spokesperson for The New York Times also criticized the decision as retribution for unfavorable reporting, arguing it deprives citizens of vital information.
Traditionally, press pools have included various media outlets to ensure comprehensive coverage of the president. The Wall Street Journal had been part of this arrangement until the recent fallout. Leavitt noted that the White House now controls pool access, diverging from past practices. Additionally, the White House attempted to exclude The Associated Press from media events, a move supported by a recent appeals court ruling allowing such bans.
As the Epstein situation continues to attract attention, even among Trump’s supporters, calls for the administration to release more related documents are growing.
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