White House Secretary Natalie Harp was reportedly responsible for the presidential meltdown that had Trump banning news outlets left and right
Pulling the strings
Days after President Donald Trump banned multiple media outlets from the White House, reports suggest that White House Appointments Secretary Natalie Harp played a role in the decision. On Monday, CNN reported that people familiar with the matter said Harp showed Trump clips of media coverage, including Politico’s (one of the outlets banned), last week, which allegedly infuriated him.
On Friday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would restrict entry to the White House for CNN, MS Now, and Politico journalists. He wrote, “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico… from the White House as a result of their constant “reporting” FAKE NEWS!”
In the same post, he hinted at extending such bans to other “Fake News Media Outlets.” He noted, “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America.”
That same day, Trump doubled down and stood firm on his decision during a press conference. “No reason,” Trump said while discussing the ban. “It’s a very simple ban. I don’t want them in my office. I don’t want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can.” However, he later provided more context, saying, “It’s really just cumulative stories over the last two years. You get sick of it.”
On Saturday, some of these outlets reported that their representatives were denied entry to the White House and had their badges taken away. As a result, all three news organizations decided to file a “critical First Amendment lawsuit” to restore their access, according to CNN.
Trump’s media ban was apparently the final nail in the coffin after repeated drawbacks
President Trump has had a rough last week
CNN reported that sources familiar with the matter said Trump’s recent setbacks, including the Supreme Court’s ruling to block new mail-in voting rules, Congress’s decision to limit his ability to wage war in Iran, and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike, contributed to his outburst.
Another reason the source cited for Trump’s eruption was the recent ruling that prohibited him from putting his name on the Kennedy Center’s facade. He and his appointed Board of Trustees had been trying for a while to get his name on the building and even tried workarounds, but to no avail.
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