Category: Unpresidential

Trump’s Media Ban Met with Judicial Pushback and Criticism

In a tense interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Attorney General Todd Blanche faced heated questioning from Martha Raddatz over President Trump’s controversial ban on three media outlets. A federal judge, Timothy Kelly, recently paused this ban, which targeted CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The judge noted that Trump’s public reasoning focused more on perceived negativity towards his administration rather than valid national security concerns, which the Department of Justice attempted to defend in court.

Raddatz challenged Blanche on the justification of the ban, which was argued under the guise of national security. Blanche deflected when pressed for specific examples of inaccuracies from the banned networks, asserting that negativity towards the president’s administration amounts to a national security issue. Raddatz countered by highlighting that the judge’s decision did not align with this national security rationale.

The exchange grew more contentious when Raddatz asked whether the administration intended to screen journalists before allowing White House access. Blanche vehemently denied such intentions, accusing Raddatz of putting words in his mouth. He stressed that while the press has the freedom to report, the administration has a duty to ensure accuracy to the American people, even if the news is not favorable to the president.

Raddatz further questioned Blanche on the role of the press and the significance of the First Amendment, suggesting Trump’s motives were politically driven rather than impartial. Blanche defended the administration by accusing Raddatz of selectively quoting the president’s concerns, which he argued were part of a broader context of mainstream media bias.

This confrontation highlights Trump’s ongoing attempts to control media narratives and silence dissenting voices, actions that reflect his broader authoritarian tendencies. The incident underscores the administration’s efforts to delegitimize and vilify media outlets that report critically on Trump’s policies and conduct.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/you-cannot-be-asking-me-that-ag-todd-blanche-erupts-at-abcs-martha-raddatz-in-heated-interview-on-trumps-press-ban/)

Trump’s 13-Post Attack on Florida Rep. Salazar

Donald Trump launched a social media tirade against Rep. María Elvira Salazar from Florida, who criticized his immigration policies. Salazar, once a supporter of Trump, expressed that the president’s aggressive deportations were excessive, causing discontent among Hispanic voters who supported him. Trump’s barrage of 13 posts included derogatory remarks shared by X users, suggesting she be challenged in a primary or questioning her motives.

One user’s post shared by Trump demanded to know who paid Salazar for her comments, with another labeling her a “backstabber.” Trump further promoted calls for withdrawing his endorsement of Salazar, reflecting his typical pattern of attacking dissenters while energizing his base.

Political commentator Ana Navarro noted that Salazar’s public break with Trump appeared to be a strategic move amidst a competitive race, seeking to draw voter attention and potentially gain traction in the polls. The unexpected shift spurred discussions and evaluations of Salazar’s political stance.

Trump’s actions further highlight his authoritarian tendencies, resorting to inciting online harassment against those who oppose him. His weaponization of social media continues to undermine political opponents and cater to a faction of fervent supporters.

This incident exemplifies Trump’s inclination toward unchecked power and attempts to consolidate loyalty amongst Republicans, using intimidation tactics reminiscent of the authoritarian leaders he admires.



(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2677946275/)

Trump Scraps Biden’s Fuel Efficiency Rules

President Donald Trump announced new fuel economy standards, claiming they “terminate” the previous guidelines set by former President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Trump criticized the prior standards for imposing costs on American auto manufacturers and forcing consumers into buying electric vehicles they “never wanted.”

Trump celebrated the announcement on Truth Social, taking the opportunity to mock Buttigieg’s name. He asserted that the changes would lead to lower car prices, attracting investment from major auto companies such as General Motors and Ford. According to Trump, these reforms would result in the return of manufacturing plants and jobs to the U.S., particularly benefiting states like Michigan and Ohio.

The updated standards mandate a reduction in the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) target to 34.5 MPG for cars manufactured by 2031, down from the 50.4 MPG set by Biden’s administration. Trump’s administration justifies this adjustment as a move to produce vehicles that suit American consumers’ preferences rather than those dictated by Democratic policies.

This decision continues Trump’s longstanding opposition to Biden’s push for increased electric vehicle production, which he has previously criticized as detrimental to the auto industry. Trump’s announcement was accompanied by his participation in a college football game, where he further raised his profile among his supporters.

Trump’s approach aligns with his broader agenda to claim success in reshaping American manufacturing policy and promoting nationalist economic policies. As with other aspects of his administration, such actions reflect his intent to consolidate power and minimize regulatory measures championed by his political opponents.

A report later revealed that during an April 2024 dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump solicited $1 billion from top fossil fuel executives in exchange for promises to undo environmental regulations. This alleged “pay-for-play” arrangement was criticized by lawmakers and detailed in a congressional oversight report, pointing to significant regulatory rollbacks enjoyed by the oil industry following the donation request.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-celebrates-new-fuel-economy-standards-which-terminate-biden-and-pete-boot-edge-edges-ridiculous-rules/)

Trump Silences Reporter, Contradicts Press Freedom Claims

President Donald Trump once again showed his hostility towards the press during an incident with MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner. During a tense exchange, Trump criticized Gardner, accusing her of being part of the “fake news,” while simultaneously claiming that he supports an open and free press. This contradictory stance highlights Trump’s ongoing attempts to undermine media organizations that do not align with his views.

The encounter occurred as Trump was departing for a college football game in Tennessee. CNN was scheduled to cover the event, but was replaced by outlets more favorable to Trump, such as LindellTV. This decision is part of Trump’s broader media strategy, where he routinely bars certain media outlets like CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which he accuses of disseminating false information.

Gardner, who had previously been excluded from White House coverage due to these restrictions, directly questioned Trump on whether he only wanted supportive outlets in the press pool. Trump’s response was to dismiss her outlet as fake news and insist he wanted real news coverage, despite his actions indicating otherwise.

Trump’s maneuver to exclude critical media outlets has already resulted in legal challenges, with judges ordering the reversal of his bans. Despite this, Trump continues to attack the press on social media, further straining relationships with mainstream media and promoting transparency issues in his administration.

Jacob Soboroff of MS NOW criticized Trump’s actions, calling them “incredibly childish” and ridiculing the absurdity of claiming to support press freedom while barring critical outlets. This incident is emblematic of Trump’s ongoing battle with the media and his authoritarian tendencies to silence dissenting voices.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/trump-claims-he-loves-an-open-free-press-while-calling-out-reporter-and-telling-her-to-be-quiet-in-tense-exchange/) silence dissenting voices.

White House Bars CNN, MS NOW From State Dinner

The White House blocked CNN and MS NOW from covering a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump despite a judicial order restoring their access. This refusal is a blatant defiance of U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly’s temporary restraining order, which was meant to allow these media outlets to cover events on the White House grounds.

At the event, which featured Chinese President Xi Jinping, CNN’s Erin Burnett reported that their media team was denied entry to cover the arrivals. Similarly, MS NOW’s Symone Sanders-Townsend announced the same denial on-air, highlighting the administration’s continued exclusionary practices.

Trump justified this ban by accusing the outlets of spreading false information and signaled potential future bans on other media organizations. Despite the judge’s order, Trump’s administration initially ignored the ruling before eventually restoring access later that day.

The White House defended the ban by claiming it was a “pre-credentialed event” and suggested that not all media had unrestricted access to events. This move underscores the administration’s continuous battle with the press and its attempt to control the narrative.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of Trump’s hostility towards media outlets he deems adversarial, further cementing his authoritarian approach to governance as he continues to undermine democratic institutions and quell dissenting voices.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/breaking-news-denied-white-house-blocks-cnn-and-ms-now-from-covering-state-dinner-despite-judges-ruling/)

Trump Bypasses Preservation Law to Expedite Arch Project

The Trump administration, in a blatant move to undermine historic preservation laws, has announced the termination of a critical review process for the proposed triumphal arch. This decision bypasses the Section 106 review that traditionally involves multiple stakeholders in evaluating the historical impact of federal projects. The move signals a deliberate attempt to fast-track Trump’s infrastructure agenda while sidestepping legal and expert challenges.

The Advisory Council on Historical Preservation’s abrupt halt of the consulting process has drawn immediate backlash. Critics argue that such an action is an affront to long-established legal norms. The proposed military use of the arch, intended originally as a national monument, intensifies concerns about the administration’s overreach and its potential legal conflicts.

President Trump’s vision for the arch includes it serving as a military complex, raising further alarms and likely legal challenges. Experts argue this transformation would significantly alter the project’s scope, compromising both historical preservation standards and public procedures. Critics, including major preservation groups, accuse the administration of stacking advisory boards with loyalists to ease project approvals.

Legal experts predict that the administration’s tactics will face substantial court challenges. Greg Werkheiser has pointed out the project’s potential legal vulnerabilities, especially with the purposeful avoidance of comprehensive review processes meant to protect national heritage sites.

The final decision now rests with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is expected to swiftly approve the proposal, paving the way for approval by the National Capital Planning Commission. This controversial project, seen as a symbol of Trump’s authoritarian ambitions, continues to provoke intense debate over the erosion of democratic processes and oversight in the United States.



(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/24/politics/trump-arch-end-historical-preservation-review?Date=20260924&Profile=CNN,CNN+Politics&utm_content=1790270115&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUipn9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUPF_-SmLcdym05tK6rNc2c34MQnXUnNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5bMCVslckRxdkvfWojL8I9P_d-PPAlMET63nPmbJbXxH1_U1EzuYRhfoov_A_aem_4hDR4SoxXnK118XRcY0Stw)

White House Denies Access to CNN, Politico Despite Court Order

Despite a court order to lift the Trump administration’s ban, reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were still denied entry to the White House on Thursday morning. This action came mere hours after Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order restoring press access, which the administration ignored, signaling a disturbing defiance of judicial authority.

The rejection of White House entry was confirmed when a Politico reporter’s press credentials were confiscated. Reporters from MS NOW and CNN faced similar obstacles, being told they could potentially receive temporary day passes but not their standard “hard passes” that allow regular access to White House press facilities. This undermined the judge’s directive that clearly highlighted the lack of due process in the administration’s decision.

Judge Timothy Kelly, appointed by Trump in 2017, emphasized that the media outlets are likely to succeed in their argument that the ban violated their due process rights. In his detailed ruling, he pointed out the lack of factual evidence from the administration justifying the press ban as a national security measure.

This situation is reminiscent of 2018, when the same judge had to intervene after the Trump administration revoked CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials. The repeated occurrence of such incidents reflects ongoing tensions between the current administration and the free press, raising serious concerns about media freedom and government transparency.

The denial of access to these news organizations before a significant diplomatic visit, like that of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, underscores the Trump administration’s pattern of undermining media rights. This defiance of the court’s ruling invites further criticism and exacerbates the strained relationship between the Trump administration and the press.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/politico-reporters-press-badge-confiscated-despite-judges-order-restoring-access/)

Trump’s DOJ Blocked Probe into Collins’ Pay-to-Play

In a notable corruption revelation, the FBI aimed to investigate Senator Susan Collins’s links to a defense contractor, Navatek, which allegedly engaged in a pay-to-play scheme. The firm’s CEO, Martin Kao, claimed that substantial political donations resulted in the senator securing lucrative defense contracts for Navatek, a serious breach of campaign finance laws. This alleged quid pro quo involved shell company donations funneled to a Super PAC linked to Collins.

Kao provided detailed accounts to the FBI, laying bare how political donations facilitated over $40 million in government contracts for Navatek, showing a systemic corruption issue in Washington. Despite these revelations and substantial evidence from Kao, the investigation into these practices was halted when Donald Trump returned to office, purging the Justice Department of personnel who had previously investigated him.

This case of alleged corruption highlights the unaccountable influence of money in politics, allowing corporations to buy favors and steer federal funds illegally. Notably, the Trump administration dismantled the specialized teams at DOJ tasked with investigating corruption, showcasing a clear attempt to protect political allies and undermine justice.

While Collins has denied any wrongdoing, the case against her was incomplete due to the collapse of these investigative efforts. The shutdown of this investigation represents a broader issue of how enforcement against political corruption has deteriorated under Trump’s leadership of an increasingly authoritarian regime.

This first story in a series by ProPublica highlights disturbing corruption tactics in Washington, laying the groundwork for further investigations into systemic abuse within government contract allocations and the troubling impacts of purged justice personnel under Trump’s administration.



(Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-susan-collins-navatek-campaign-donations-investigation)

Trump Mocks Climate Change Links It to AI Fearmongering

In a recent online rant, Donald Trump dismissed the scientific consensus on climate change, equating it with unfounded fears about artificial intelligence. He mocked these concerns by stating that the planet has been cooling, not warming, and insisted nobody had died as a result. Trump’s rhetoric emphasizes his characteristic skepticism toward scientific and expert assessments, aligning climate change with his usual list of alleged hoaxes.

Trump’s tirade extended into artificial intelligence, claiming that whoever dominates AI will command the future, positioning the U.S. as a leader against other nations like China. Trump declared he would not inhibit AI growth, drawing comparisons to historical innovations like the Industrial Revolution. Despite his enthusiasm, there’s evident concern over his administration’s overly simplistic grasp of complex technological issues.

Alongside his rant, Trump conducted a poll on Truth Social about renaming artificial intelligence, coinciding with previous controversial renaming endeavors. This move underscores a broader pattern of Trump’s disregard for established concepts and norms, favoring an often misinformed approach that prioritizes spectacle over substance.

Despite his stance, it remains unclear how Trump plans to initiate such changes in AI terminology, reminiscent of his attempts to rename geographical and cultural landmarks for his own legacy. His latest declarations may well reflect an ongoing attempt to assert control over narratives across various domains, from environmental policy to technology.

This episode is part of a consistent pattern where Trump rejects expert opinions in favor of promoting his populist ideologies. As he continues to seek headlines, his rhetoric around both climate change and AI points to a deeper unwillingness to engage with the real-world challenges these phenomena present.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-goes-on-bonkers-rant-against-climate-change-tying-it-to-ai-nobody-was-dead/)

Trump’s Arctic Advisor Tied to Private Interests

Thomas Dans, appointed by Donald Trump as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, has become a controversial figure due to his lack of scientific background and his promotion of business interests intertwined with his role. Dans, with a history of business dealings in Russia and advocacy for closer U.S.-Russia ties, was appointed despite having little experience relevant to the Commission’s scientific and policy-driven goals.

Dans has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s ambitions to take over Greenland and has made headlines with his foreign policy statements, which are beyond his commission’s remit. His efforts to secure U.S. government contracts for Damen Shipyards, a company he had business ties with, have sparked intense scrutiny.

Accusations of conflicts of interest have surfaced because Dans’s advocacy for Damen could potentially violate federal ethics rules. His position affords him access to significant government information, potentially benefiting his private financial interests without the disclosure requirements typical for government employees.

The stakes are high as melting Arctic ice opens new geopolitical and military challenges. Dans’s approach, reflecting a mix of Trump administration’s policies and personal business interests, poses national security concerns as voiced by former ethics officials. Critics argue that his entanglement with private interests and foreign politics undermines the role’s integrity.

Dans’s tenure, marked by controversial statements and questionable business engagements, exemplifies ongoing concerns about the Trump administration’s blending of public office with personal gain. His presence at various international and conservationist events and media engagements amplifies this confluence of government function and private enterprise.



(Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/thomas-dans-arctic-research-commission-trump-russia-propaganda?utm_campaign=propublica-sprout&utm_content=1789824171&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUc0kVwZG9mBWZkaWQWUOy5G3TKPyI4Y0q0j2r4789K-L8LumV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4LG-2BVMQKw8FCEi2f4u0H-YThEPdXyQeQ8nRnJtmHE6DqyM3H5Yiusml-xQ_aem_b_Ti1kPBmg5XUlReL_xxHw)

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