Despite President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump’s office has approved a CNN reporter to cover her upcoming event in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
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CNN reporter Betsy Klein has been credentialed to cover Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” event on Tuesday, The Independent reported.
CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter said the approval was an example of reporters finding other ways to cover events after the White House restricted access to several news organisations.
Trump had announced on Friday that CNN, Politico and MS NOW would be barred from the White House, accusing the outlets of publishing what he described as “fake news”. The move came into effect on Saturday, with reporters from the three organisations denied access to the White House.
News outlets sue Trump administration
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Trump and several administration officials, arguing that the decision to revoke their White House access was unconstitutional. The outlets said their credentials were withdrawn without notice or due process.
The dispute also prompted ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News to suspend television pool coverage of Trump, after CNN was prevented from carrying out its scheduled role in the five-network White House TV pool.
The networks said there would be no replacement pool coverage for the president’s events.
Despite the restrictions at the White House, CNN has said it will continue covering the Trump administration.
Klein, whose White House press credentials were deactivated, is now set to cover Melania Trump’s event in New York after her office approved her access.
