Welcome to the Jim Acosta Morning Memo on a Monday morning after Trump shredded the First Amendment and kept right on going. Let’s JAMM!
First Amendment Assault: Our top story began Friday afternoon when Trump blurted out a social media rant announcing “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW, and Politico!”
See You In Court: And breaking this morning, the three outlets put out the following joint statement.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.”
Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”
No Pool For You: And the White House Correspondents’ Association announced Monday morning that there will be no network pool cameras covering Trump today:
The primary White House TV pool is made up of 5 networks: CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and FOX. We take turns covering POTUS for pooled events and trips, and then share footage with the other 4 plus other outlets.
Today there is no tv pool, so Trump won’t have a crew with him at UNGA.
Fake Spews: After Trump posted his threat, reporters grilled him about the ban during an Oval Office photo op. He began with an expulsion of lies and attacks.
Because they’re fake news. I get so tired of reading and seeing fake news. When you look at CNN, it’s just fake. That’s why their ratings are no good. When you look at MS NOW, which used to be MSNBC, which some people called MSDNC — Democratic National Committee. It’s fake news. It’s fake news.
And when you look at Politico. I mean, they got government — the government under Biden gave him, like, $8 million to keep them afloat
He continued like that for several more minutes.
Testify!: Asked why he’s doing this now, Trump was explicit — he doesn’t like the quote “negative news.”
REPORTER: Yeah, but the president is doing his plan now. Is there a particular reason —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, just because they do. No, no, it’s really just cumulative stories. Over the last few years, you get sick of it.
And you call them, and you tell them — I have very good experts, like people behind me, Bobby — they call, and they try and explain things to them. They know that — they know it as well. They’re smart people, but they purposely write negative news.
And in case the judge who eventually strikes this down has any lingering doubts, Trump went on to literally call it a quote “ban on the free press.”
REPORTER: What do you envision the ban looks like from media outlets?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Oh, the ban on the free press, right? A very simple ban. I don’t want them in my office.
Your witness, Mister Blanche.
And Now A Word From Our Sponsor
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Your Slip Is Showing: And in a classic Freudian slip, Trump told a stunning truth we’ve been saying all along.
REPORTER: Mr. President, President Xi coming here next week. China is one of the most repressive countries of journalists in the world. What signal is it sending you about China?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think we’re repressive also.
Piggy Spank:
