First Lady Melania Trump’s office has approved a press credential for a CNN reporter to cover an upcoming event in New York City, despite President Donald
Trump’s recent ban on the network’s access to the White House. CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter revealed the development on Monday while discussing the White House restrictions, which also bar reporters from Politico and MS NOW. “We’re going to see reporters get creative,” Stelter said, adding that journalists may seek credentials through other channels. “I’m told, for example, a CNN reporter has already been approved by the office of the first lady to cover an event with Melania Trump on the sidelines of the U.N. tomorrow,” he said. CNN Reporter Approved For Melania Event An official from Melania Trump’s office confirmed to The Independent that it had approved a credential request from CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein. Klein is scheduled to cover Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future Together” event in New York City on Tuesday. The event is being held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and is expected to focus on private-sector partnerships with technology companies. Klein previously reported that Secret Service agents seized her press pass at a White House checkpoint following Trump’s decision to restrict CNN’s access. Trump Faces Lawsuit Over Media Ban Trump announced the White House media restrictions last week, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of publishing what he described as “FICTION and LIES” about his administration. The three media organisations subsequently filed a lawsuit against Trump and senior administration officials, arguing that the restrictions violate the First Amendment. A judge handling the case said Monday that the Trump administration must respond to the lawsuit by Tuesday. The dispute has also prompted changes within the White House television press pool. The five television networks that make up the pool announced Monday that they would suspend their coverage of Trump. “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” the television pool said in a statement, adding that administrations should not restrict news organisations because of their reporting. The CNN credential for Melania Trump’s New York event comes as the legal and political dispute over White House media access continues.
