Donald Trump has scolded a CNN anchor for covering him at the UN in New York after banning the network and two other media outlets from the White House.
Kaitlan Collins asked the US president on Tuesday when the Iran war would end, citing a poll that claims two-thirds of Americans don’t think the US is winning.
“It’s an honor to be here. I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me,” Trump began before telling Collins: “You should not be here covering me.
“You said you weren’t going to cover me. You shouldn’t be covering me.”
Collins told the president on Tuesday that the UN allowed her organization into the general assembly. The Guardian has asked CNN for comment.
Last week, Trump announced he was banning CNN, Politico and MS Now from the White House, accusing the outlets – without citing evidence – of “constantly” writing and reporting “FICTION and LIES”. On Saturday, reporters and other staff from the news organizations were denied access to the White House.
On Saturday, CNN said: “We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account, and we will continue to report on the actions and processes of this administration without fear or favor.”
CNN, Politico and MS Now have since sued the administration, seeking to end his enforcement of the ban and restore reporters’ hard passes that grant them access to the White House grounds. A federal judge is expected to hold a hearing on the matter on Wednesday.
Trump’s attempt to restrict press access sparked criticism from other media organizations and first amendment advocacy groups, which have accused the US president of infringing on the right of the free press.
Trump has defended his decision, claiming his ban was not “an assault on the Free Press”, but instead designed to address “national security” threats – a claim the US president has recently used to justify building a triumphal arch and a White House ballroom.
