Trump Announces 'Ban on Entry' for Several Media Outlets Including Ofoq News to the White House.. The Network Responds

- US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that he is in the process of "banning the entry" of Afaq News, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. Trump stated during remarks to reporters in the Oval Office that the decision is "effective immediately," but there were no indications that his administration had taken any actual steps to implement it.

Afaq News reporters remained in their designated workspaces in the White House, near the press conference room, at the time of this report. Additionally, a team from Afaq News accompanied his deputy JD Vance on Friday, serving as the television team assigned to cover his movements under the shared coverage system. For its part, Afaq News stated in a statement: "Afaq News fully supports its team in the White House and their fair and accurate coverage.

We have the right, under the US Constitution, to conduct this coverage without interference or intervention from the government, and if the ban threatened by President Trump goes ahead, it will be an illegal assault on this fundamental and constitutionally protected right." No immediate comment was made by MS NOW or Politico regarding Trump's claims.

Trump wrote on his platform "Truth Social" that this "ban" came "as a result of their continued 'reporting' of fake news," according to his claims. He added: "The media should not be allowed to write or continuously report fictional stories and lies when covering the news of the President of the United States, the Trump administration, or the United States of America.

Other media outlets that publish fake news will follow." In response to a request for comment on the US President's post, the White House press office referred journalists to the statements made by Trump in the Oval Office.

Trump mentioned in the Oval Office that he would justify the ban on three news organizations from entering the White House - despite the First Amendment of the Constitution - saying: "Because they publish fake news." He added: "There is something wrong in a country that allows people to write negative stories deliberately.

If they want to write them, that's fine; but I am not obligated to allow them to enter the people's house." Trump also hinted at the possibility of banning more news organizations from the White House, saying: "Others may join them...

No specific action was identified to prevent these media organizations from entering the White House, nor did he refer to any specific news report that prompted him to make this statement via social media. When pressed about the timing and whether he had a specific reason for announcing these ban decisions on Friday, Trump replied: "No, there is no reason."

Trump had previously restricted the access of CNN to the White House. During Trump's first term, the White House revoked the press credentials of Jim Acosta - who was then serving as the network's chief correspondent at the White House - following a heated exchange with him during a press conference held in November 2018.

CNN filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge appointed by Trump ruled to temporarily restore Acosta's access, considering that the White House had violated due process rights. Ultimately, the White House permanently restored Acosta's credentials, prompting CNN to withdraw its lawsuit.

Trump's statement was met with criticism from press freedom advocates. Bruce DeBrown, president of the "Committee to Protect Journalists," said in a statement: "A ban like this is a blatant violation of the Constitution. The First Amendment clearly states that once the White House allows some journalists to enter, it cannot prevent others simply because it is dissatisfied with their coverage." He added: "This is a typical example of viewpoint discrimination, and the courts will quickly overturn it if challenged."