Trump Says He Doesn’t Want ‘Fake News Reporters’ Around Him, You Support This?

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump’s long-running battle with major news organizations has entered another controversial chapter, reopening a debate that has followed him through both of his presidential terms: How far should a president be able to go when dealing with news organizations he believes are dishonest or unfair?

Trump recently announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the organizations of repeatedly publishing what he considers false or misleading coverage. Reporters from the organizations were subsequently denied White House access. The affected outlets have challenged the decision, arguing that excluding journalists because of unfavorable reporting raises serious First Amendment concerns.

Trump, meanwhile, has made no secret of his frustration with news coverage he views as inaccurate. Throughout his political career, he has frequently used the phrase “fake news” when criticizing stories and organizations he believes misrepresent his administration, policies or statements.

The controversy raises a broader question about the relationship between presidents and the press.

Supporters of tougher restrictions may argue that journalists granted access to the White House should be expected to report accurately and fairly, and that repeated errors or misleading coverage should carry consequences.

Critics take a different view. They argue that presidents should not determine which legitimate news organizations receive access based on whether their reporting is favorable. They say an aggressive and sometimes adversarial press has historically played an important role in holding government officials accountable.

The dispute is now likely to continue in both the political and legal arenas. FactCheck.org noted that the current restrictions go beyond several past disputes between presidential administrations and news organizations.

Americans have sharply different opinions about the mainstream media, Trump and the proper limits of White House press access.

That brings us to today’s poll.