Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. (Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)
Trump Administration Blocks Wall Street Journal from Scotland Trip
The White House has removed The Wall Street Journal from the press pool covering President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland. The move comes shortly after the newspaper published a report alleging that Trump sent a personal birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The article sparked strong denials and legal action from the Trump administration.
Lawsuit and Accusations of Defamation
President Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and its parent company, alleging that the story was false and defamatory. The note in question, reportedly containing inappropriate language, was described by Trump’s team as a fabrication aimed at damaging his reputation.
WSJ Reporter Dropped From Coverage Team
Although the journalist removed from the press trip, Tarini Parti, was not involved in the original report, she was taken off the official list of reporters accompanying the President. This exclusion marks a significant shift in how press access is managed, with the administration now choosing who travels on official visits, bypassing the usual selection process handled by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Press Freedom Groups Raise Alarm
Media organisations and journalist associations have criticised the decision, calling it retaliation against critical coverage. They argue that excluding a major news outlet from an international presidential visit undermines press freedom and sets a dangerous precedent.
Ongoing Tensions with the Media
This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between the Trump administration and the press. Over the past year, several news organisations have been denied access to briefings and events. The White House has also revised how press pools are selected, consolidating control over which reporters can accompany the President.
As Trump’s administration continues to challenge traditional norms of media engagement, concerns grow over transparency and the public’s right to independent information.
