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

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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.