The White House has removed The Wall Street Journal from the press pool for President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland. This decision comes after the outlet published a story that the White House deemed "fake and defamatory" regarding Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that reporter Tarini Parti would not be allowed to join the press pool due to the article’s claims. Leavitt emphasized that access to the president is not guaranteed for any news organization and stated that the White House is committed to including a variety of voices in its coverage.
Trump recently filed a libel lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal after the publication reported on a birthday message he allegedly sent to Epstein in 2003. The president has dismissed the letter mentioned in the article as "FAKE."
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) criticized the move, arguing that it undermines First Amendment rights. WHCA president Weijia Jiang expressed concern about government retaliation against media outlets based on their reporting. She urged the White House to reconsider and restore The Wall Street Journal’s access.
Earlier this year, the White House changed its policy on press access, taking control away from the WHCA. This shift aimed to allow more diverse media representation during presidential events. The legality of the White House’s actions, including a previous ban on Associated Press reporters, is currently being challenged in court.