White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Trump Campaign Accuses CNN of Censorship

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Photo courtesy Josh Hallett.

President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign has accused CNN of censorship, saying the network has blocked its most recent ad, “The President’s Enemies.”  The network has stated it has not rejected the ad.

The ad itself blasts Democrats and the media, implying they are “the president’s enemies.”  Several clips of journalists are displayed during the ad, including many who work at CNN including Don Lemon, Anderson Cooper, Dana Bash, Brian Stetler and John King.  Other journalists featured in the ad include American Urban Radio’s April Ryan and MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, Rachel Maddow and Chuck Todd.

“Today, CNN provided further proof that the network earns this mistrust every day by censoring President Trump’s message to the American people by blocking our paid campaign ad,” campaign executive director Michael Glassner said in a statement. “Clearly, the only viewpoint CNN allows on the air is CNN’s.”

The network said it did not reject the ad, but requested changes to make it factually correct.  CNN also pointed out it makes this request routinely with all ads they run.  According to the network, the request for changes was sent to the campaign, which asked for the request in writing.  It then issued a press release blasting the network before CNN could send over the changes.

According to CNN, they “would accept the ad if the images of reporters and anchors are removed. Anchors and reporters don’t have ‘enemies,’ as the ad states, but they do hold those in power accountable across the political spectrum and aggressively challenge false and misleading statements and investigate wrong-doing.”

The network has aired at least five pro-Trump advocacy ads since February.  It had rejected one ad in May on the grounds that it contained a graphic calling mainstream media “fake news.”

CNN Fires Pro-Trump Commentator Jeffrey Lord Over Nazi Salute Tweet

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Photo courtesy Josh Hallett.

CNN has severed ties with provocative commentator Jeffrey Lord following his tweeting “Seig Heil!” at Angelo Carusone, a prominent liberal activist and president of Media Matters.

“Nazi salutes are indefensible,” CNN said in a release. “Jeffrey Lord is no longer with the network.”

Lord disagreed with the decision, but expressed his respect for CNN and its management. “I love CNN, but I feel they are caving to bullies here,” he said in a telephone interview after the decision was announced.

“You’re not supposed to make fun of Nazis? I don’t think so,” Lord said. “I do not ever intend to be quiet. If I had to do it all over again, I would.”

The personality had served as a staff member in the Reagan administration. He was the first explicitly pro-Trump commentator on the network, joining in August 2015. Lord’s addition to CNN’s roster was viewed as a counterweight to other commentators, who were virtually unanimous in dismissing Trump’s candidacy.

Following his firing, Lord received a phone call from White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. In the call, Bannon told Lord to “keep fighting.”

Huckabee Sanders: Televised White House Briefings to Remain ‘For Now’

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Last week, new White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave tepid support to returning to the tradition that White House press briefings would likely remain on-camera, potentially defusing an issue of contention with the press corps.

“Yeah, I think for now,” she said in an interview with The New York Times. “We’ll see what happens.”

Sanders was promoted to press secretary after her predecessor, Sean Spicer, resigned following the announcement that Anthony Scaramucci would be appointed White House communications director. Less than two weeks later, Scaramucci was fired by incoming chief of staff John Kelly.

She also recently took over the White House press secretary’s Twitter handle from Spicer, which has been handed down to staffers in that role since the Obama administration.

NPR’s Geoff Bennett Moves to White House Beat

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Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

National Public Radio has added a fourth reporter to its White House beat.  Geoff Bennett will be transferring down Pennsylvania Avenue, leaving his current role as a congressional reporter for the network since March.

Senior NPR Washington editor Beth Donovan said that “[j]ust a few months into his return to NPR, Geoff has demonstrated the substantive reach, solid sourcing, and fluidity in stories and two ways demanded daily on the beat.  And, as those of us lucky enough to work alongside Geoff know, he’s done it with the grace and good humor we so need.”

Before returning to NPR on the congressional beat, Bennett had worked as Washington correspondent for NY1 News.  Prior to that, he served as editor of NPR’s Weekend Edition.

NPR’s White House team also includes national political correspondent Mara Liasson and correspondents Scott Horsley and Tamara Keith.

Chuck Todd Announces He Will Ignore Any Subpoena from Department of Justice’s Leak Investiation

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NBC International Information Bureau. Photo courtesy Jeff Maurone via Flickr.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd said he would ignore any subpoena issued from the Department of Justice to him in the agency’s recently-announced investigation of White House leaks.

On Friday, Todd stated on Twitter that:

“If DoJ media source threat is real (I assume it’s not; just a show presser to please WH) then I look forward to ignoring that subpoena”


Attorney General Jeff Sessions said earlier on Friday that the Department of Justice was reviewing policies regarding media subpoenas.  “We respect the role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited.  They cannot place lives at risk with impunity.”

Todd followed up his tweet with another: “The worst way to stop leaks: threats”

Fox News Suspends Anchor Eric Bolling

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Fox News building on 6th Avenue in NYC. Photo courtesy Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons.

Over the weekend, Fox News confirmed it has suspended anchor Eric Bolling after allegations emerged he sent unsolicited, explicit text messages to female co-workers.

In a statement Saturday, the news channel stated that:

“Eric Bolling has been suspended pending the results of an investigation, which is currently underway.”

Citing a dozen anonymous sources, reporters at HuffPost revealed Bolling had sent explicit photos to two employees at Fox Business Network and an additional co-worker at Fox News.

Several personalities at Fox News had been accused of inappropriate activity recently, including Bill O’Reilley, then the network’s top anchor, who was forced out of his prime time slot.  Former network chief Roger Ailes was also removed following allegations of impropriety.

The Paul Weiss law firm will investigate Bolling’s activities for the network.

83 Year Old Sen. Chuck Grassley Takes on Bloomberg TV’s Cirilli in Push-Up Contest

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

On Monday, Senator Chuck Grassley challenged the media in his own unique fashion – a push-up contest.

The 83 year old from Iowa matched Bloomberg TV’s chief Washington correspondent Kevin Cirilli in a feat of strength, keeping up with the much-younger journalist’s 25 push-ups.

“Iron senator! That was impressive… that was very impressive.” Cirilli applauded.

Grassley remains extremely active, such as regularly waking at 4 AM for a three mile run.  In February, a high school student in St. Ansgar, Iowa, challenged Grassley to a push-up contest.  The senator won.

ABC’s Jonathan Karl Elected as White House Correspondents Association President for 2019-2020 Term

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Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Association announced Jonathan Karl of ABC News has been elected president of the organization for 2019-2020.

Currently chief White House correspondent for ABC News, Karl has also covered Congress and the Pentagon in his career. He began working for ABC in 2003 reporting from the State Department.

Karl received 104 votes out of 265 cast in the election for leadership of the White House Correspondents Association. Dallas Morning News’ Todd Gillman came in second with 87 votes.

In addition to being chosen as president of the organization, Karl was also appointed to a three-year term as an at-large board of directors member. Gillman was also named to the board as newspaper representative. Additionally, the New York Times’ Doug Mills was chosen to fill the photography seat on the board.

White House Correspondents Association Weighs Membership Rule Change

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

The White House Correspondents Association is considering a proposed change to its bylaws, requiring “regular members” of the organization to be credentialed through or work for an organization recognized by the Congressional Standing Committee.

Organization president and Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason suggested the reason for the change is that the Congressional Standing Committee is the “gold standard” for credentialing in the nation’s capital.

The White House Correspondents Association does not issue credentials itself. The mission of the organization is to advocate for freedom of the press, access to the White House and provides scholarships for exceptional journalism students.

Six journalists are circulating a letter opposing the rules change, including liberal commentator Bill Press, longtime independent correspondent Connie Lawn, and reporters for Newsmax, Circa and The Daily Signal. Charlie Spiering, White House correspondent for Breitbart, wrote in the letter that:

“The WHCA Board has in most cases done a great job in advocating for journalists’ access, and showing respect to all members. The proposed bylaws change regarding membership is an unfortunate exception. That’s because the bylaws change would mean some members and hard pass holders who regularly cover the White House will not have full participation in the organization that is supposed to represent them regarding access among other things.”

Breitbart was denied congressional press passes earlier this year, meaning reporters for the conservative news outlet would be eligible for associate membership, but not full membership in the White House Correspondents Association. The Congressional Standing Committee rejected Breitbart’s press passes over concerns about its ties to the Mercer family, who are Republican benefactors, and to the Government Accountability Institute, a nonprofit co-founded by former Breitbart chairman and White House strategist Steve Bannon.

Members of the White House Correspondents Association have until Friday to vote on the change to bylaws.

High School Journalist Lands Interview with Defense Secretary James Mattis

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Mercer Island High School. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

Teddy Fischer, a student at Mercer Island High School in Washington state about to enter his junior year, snagged an exclusive 45-minute phone interview during the Memorial Day weekend with Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Having discovered a photo published by the Washington Post where the cabinet official’s phone number was visible, Fischer sent Mattis a text message.

“I never really thought it would work,” Fischer told Seattle’s KING5.  After sending a message to the number he found stating he was a student working for his school newspaper and a native of Washington state, the defense secretary called back and agreed to a phone interview.  Secretary Mattis is also from Washington state.

After preparing with his teacher and editor on questions, Fischer conducted an insightful, thorough discussion with Mattis, covering topics such as national politics, foreign policy, and issues facing teenagers today.  Fischer also said he learned an important lesson beyond public affairs.

“It never hurts to ask anybody anything,” he said.  “Even if they seem like they’re a distant figure, even if they seem like a powerful figure.  There’s a human side to politics and people are much more approachable than you think.”