Donald Trump criticised a reporter who questioned his decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House media access. The confrontation followed a federal judge’s order temporarily restoring the outlets’ access, raising concerns about press freedom and the administration’s treatment of critical media.

Before travelling to Tennessee, MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner asked whether Trump only wanted supportive outlets in the press pool. He called her network and other organisations “fake news”, claimed their coverage was overwhelmingly negative, and told her to “be quiet”; CNN’s travel coverage was also replaced by LindellTV, owned by Trump ally Mike Lindell. The outlets filed a lawsuit arguing the ban violated the First Amendment, and Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day restraining order reinstating access while the case continues.