Trump v the media – The Latest

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-22T17:05:41.867Z • Permanent link

CNN, MS Now, and Politico have united in a boycott of pooled coverage of the Trump administration, marking a significant escalation in the media's ongoing battle with the 45th President. This development comes after a contentious period marked by escalating tensions between the press and the White House. In January 2020, a CNN Newsroom staff member resigned over the network's decision not to air a report on the administration's handling of the US-Iran conflict, citing a lack of access to credible sources. The move was seen as a tacit endorsement of the Trump administration's narrative on the conflict, which was widely disputed by experts and officials.

The boycott is the latest in a series of confrontations between the press and the Trump administration. In 2019, Politico reported that the White House had instructed staff to avoid the press corps, citing concerns about the accuracy of their reporting. The move was seen as an attempt to limit the administration's exposure to scrutiny, but it only served to further alienate the press. In response, several major news organizations, including CNN and Politico, announced plans to increase their coverage of the Trump administration, citing a desire to provide more balanced reporting.

The boycott has been sparked by a number of high-profile incidents, including a recent CNN report on the administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, which highlighted the administration's slow response to the crisis, was seen as a significant embarrassment to the White House. In response, the administration launched a barrage of attacks on CNN, with several officials and aides publicly questioning the network's credibility and integrity.

The boycott has significant implications for the Legal & Policy domain, where the press plays a critical role in holding those in power accountable. Several major research communities, including the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, have announced plans to increase their coverage of the Trump administration, citing a desire to provide more in-depth analysis of the administration's policies. The move is seen as a significant boost to the credibility of these institutions, which have long been seen as independent voices in the policy debate.

The boycott also has significant implications for the markets, where the press plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing investor sentiment. Several major companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, have announced plans to increase their spending on public affairs and communications, citing a desire to counter the administration's negative narratives. The move is seen as a significant investment in the company's reputation and brand, and is likely to pay dividends in terms of increased public support and investor confidence.

The boycott is part of a larger pattern of competition between the press and the Trump administration. In the 1970s and 1980s, the press played a critical role in exposing the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. In the 1990s and 2000s, the press continued to play a major role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy debates, particularly in the areas of foreign policy and national security. However, in recent years, the press has faced significant challenges, including the rise of social media and the proliferation of fake news.