The White House has blocked a number of major media outlets from a press briefing, showing President Donald Trump’s determination in fighting what he calls “fake news media.”
CNN, The New York Times, Politico, the Los Angeles Times, The Hill, the Daily Mail and BuzzFeed News were left out from Friday’s off-camera briefing, which was hosted by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
Generally referred to as gaggles, the off-camera sessions are less formal than the televised ones. Trump has on many occasions accused the blocked media of publishing fake stories about his administration.
Sarah Hockabee Sanders, White House’s principal deputy press secretary, defended the move in a statement, saying the press pool was invited “so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today.”
The press pool usually features a major TV channel and a print outlet, which then provide other media with the content of the session.
According to CNN,…