Report Press Freedom in Question as White House Ousts WSJ Over Epstein-Linked Coverage

[webfact]

File photo

 

President Trump's administration has removed The Wall Street Journal from the press pool for his visit to Scotland. This decision follows a controversial article that links Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, which the White House has deemed "fake and defamatory." The Journal’s involvement in the trip was cancelled after Trump sued the paper for defamation in response to the report.

 

The press pool, which is managed by the White House, includes journalists who cover presidential events. PPreviously coordinated by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), the press pool is now under the strict control of the Trump administration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the decision, citing the Wall Street Journal's recent conduct.

 

The July 17 article detailed letters allegedly connected to Trump and Epstein, sparking a defamation lawsuit. The administration claims this justifies exclusion from the press pool.

 

The decision adds fuel to ongoing disputes about press freedom, highlighted by the AP’s similar experience after a Gulf of Mexico naming disagreement.

 

WHCA President Weijia Jiang expressed concern, emphasising the importance of free speech and independent media. The Journal, meanwhile, maintains its stance on the reporting and is prepared to defend itself against the legal challenge. Calls for the White House to reconsider and uphold media access persist, yet the administration remains resolute.

 

First Amendment organisations have criticised the action as an infringement on press freedom. Critics argue it's a punitive measure that undermines democratic principles. The White House has yet to specify which outlet will replace the Journal in the Scotland press pool.

 

As tensions escalate, the situation underscores the precarious balance between media access and governmental control. The staff decisions continue to spotlight President Trump’s contentious relationship with the press, leaving lasting implications for future media interactions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-07-23

 

 

 

[WDSmart]

 Despicable! 😡 

[Gsxrnz]

So, the Wall Street Journal has not been selected to get a free ride on Airforce one, joining the other 3 million excluded news outlets who are free to buy their own plane ticket if they choose and write whatever they want - fact or fiction.

 

Hardly a first amendment infringement. 

 

 

[FlorC]

Bezos can easily pay for a private jet for his lying "journalists". 

[spidermike007]

The Wall Street Journal doesn't like me, and they dare to publish things that are unfavorable towards me, therefore they will not be allowed to cover me anymore in the press.

 

That's right, I am the emperor and they are defying me, and not showing sufficiently fealty. 

[Chomper Higgot]

And yet he says nothing to see here.

 

 

[Will B Good]

58 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

 Despicable! 😡 

 

AP have just lost their appeal re Gulf of Mexico

 

 

What a sad decline to a once great nation

 

 

[JonnyF]

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The Wall Street Journal doesn't like me, and they dare to publish things that are unfavorable towards me, therefore they will not be allowed to cover me anymore in the press.

 

That's right, I am the emperor and they are defying me, and not showing sufficiently fealty. 

 

How is he "not allowing" them to cover him in the press?

 

He just isn't paying for their plane ticket. Fair enough. If someone was coming after me relentlessly I probably wouldn't pay for them to continue doing so. 

[klauskunkel]

Murdoch, who owns WSJ, has money and a plane...

[FlorC]

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

Bezos can easily pay for a private jet for his lying "journalists". 

 

50 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Murdoch, who owns WSJ, has money and a plane...

Yes I was wrong . Bezos is WP , not WSJ.

[black tabby12345]

Increasing tariff.

 

But reducing press freedom.

 

The 2nd president of USA, against their 1st Amendment (freedom of speech), next to James Monroe?

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

How is he "not allowing" them to cover him in the press?

 

He just isn't paying for their plane ticket. Fair enough. If someone was coming after me relentlessly I probably wouldn't pay for them to continue doing so. 

He doesn’t pay the air fair.

[MalcolmB]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am the emperor

Les majeste USA style.

 

The sheeple won’t do anything about it.

 

Pathetic country.

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

He doesn’t pay the air fair.

 

That's what I said. 

[newbee2022]

The journalists will be there anyway anywhere, even the imperator would like to ban.

He should think of his time with his former buddy and neighbour and create a lie about it. Actually the biggest lie in American history.

Oh, sorry, now I used MAGA speech.😂

[Chomper Higgot]

17 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

That's what I said. 

No, that’s not what you said.

 

Coventry Comp., has a lot yo answer for.

[JonnyF]

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No, that’s not what you said.

 

Coventry Comp., has a lot yo answer for.

 

Where's the confused emoji when you need it? 😃

 

Your ability to comprehend appears to be as bad as your writing skills, 'yo'. 

[black tabby12345]

Not only Illegal Aliens.

But also Traditional US allies.

Now, American reporters, in the crosshair of DT.

[Rimmer]

A post altering politicians names has been removed

[Purdey]

The WSJ should get revenge by launching an investigation into all the things they can get on Trump's relationship with Epstein. Interview Maxwell in prison. Publish as his plane touches down in Scotland.

 

If there is no evidence, then just be quiet.

[kimothai]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

How is he "not allowing" them to cover him in the press?

 

He just isn't paying for their plane ticket. Fair enough. If someone was coming after me relentlessly I probably wouldn't pay for them to continue doing so. 

LOL.  As Jack Nicholson said (movie Departed): "No ticky, no laundry"!

[frank83628]

8 minutes ago, Purdey said:

The WSJ should get revenge by launching an investigation into all the things they can get on Trump's relationship with Epstein. Interview Maxwell in prison. Publish as his plane touches down in Scotland.

 

If there is no evidence, then just be quiet.

Ever stopped for a second to wonder why nothing has come to light since his arrest 2019... were you aware how much Trump was attacked by all media for years  or did you think it was just normal?

You guys are so easily manipulated...

[WDSmart]

6 hours ago, Will B Good said:

7 hours ago, WDSmart said:

 Despicable! 😡 

 

AP have just lost their appeal re Gulf of Mexico

 

 

What a sad decline to a once great nation

@Will B GoodWhen I read your remarks above, I thought the last sentence meant the "sad decline" was exemplified by these attacks on the press. However, the photo on your profile seems to imply that you are a Trump supporter, so maybe the last sentence means the decline is exemplified by the objectionable actions of the press. Which is it? 🤔

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Not only Illegal Aliens.

But also Traditional US allies.

Now, American reporters, in the crosshair of DT.

They always have been in the crosshairs. Trump has always despised the media as they very commonly have been spreading facts about his criminal activities, and his moral degradation, and he doesn't like that at all. Obey. Be loyal, and show only fealty to the new king! 

[dinsdale]

Press Freedom in Question

Rubbish. Another negative Trump thread on AN for the usual crowd to go full syndrome AGAIN. 

 

[black tabby12345]

33 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They always have been in the crosshairs. Trump has always despised the media as they very commonly have been spreading facts about his criminal activities, and his moral degradation, and he doesn't like that at all. Obey. Be loyal, and show only fealty to the new king! 

 

MAGA mobs voted another Putin into  White House.

The right man to destroy USA from within.

Not surprised even if KGB recruited him back in 1987...

 

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/13/fact-checking-online-claims-that-donald-trump-was-recruited-by-the-kgb-as-krasnov

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/examining-claim-trump-recruited-kgb-030000387.html

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/29/trump-russia-asset-claims-former-kgb-spy-new-book

 

https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/was-donald-trump-a-russian-spy-in-1987-bizarre-allegations-by-ex-kgb-officer-will-surprise-you/articleshow/118487146.cms

 

 

So eager to be among these big brothers in modern history.

[Will B Good]

36 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

@Will B GoodWhen I read your remarks above, I thought the last sentence meant the "sad decline" was exemplified by these attacks on the press. However, the photo on your profile seems to imply that you are a Trump supporter, so maybe the last sentence means the decline is exemplified by the objectionable actions of the press. Which is it? 🤔

 

Ha look at the size of the chair.....that will give you some idea of my leanings....555

 

Changed it now....!!!

[BusyB]

33 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They always have been in the crosshairs. Trump has always despised the media as they very commonly have been spreading facts about his criminal activities, and his moral degradation, and he doesn't like that at all. Obey. Be loyal, and show only fealty to the new king! 

 

... that doesn't like the taste of his anus. Otherwise he adores the media (that adores him).

 

Really genuinely never thought this kind of thing could happen in a place like the US. It's stunning how once great houses have bent the knee to kiss his ring piece. And frightening. And also to see how many loons actually think it's great and will benefit the country. It's all very Stalinist - especially accusing former office holders of treason. Talk about projection my god.

 

We may have our problems and issues as well but I'm seriously glad to be living in the EU.

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

 

Makes a perfect sense.

[Purdey]

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

Ever stopped for a second to wonder why nothing has come to light since his arrest 2019... were you aware how much Trump was attacked by all media for years  or did you think it was just normal?

You guys are so easily manipulated...

Erm, I did say that if there is no evidence then keep quiet. Seems you responded to an imaginary statement.