April Ryan Says White House Banned CNN Reporter Partly Because Melania's Air Force One TV Was Tuned To CNN
- 6 years ago
Correspondent April Ryan on Thursday shared her theory about why the White House barred a CNN reporter.
White House correspondent April Ryan on Thursday weighed in on the controversy that erupted after the White House barred CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins from attending President Trump's Wednesday afternoon open press event in the Rose Garden. Ryan told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that she believes the action was, in part, due to Trump's reported rage over the first lady's television being tuned to CNN on Air Force One. She offered other reasons as well, including CNN's release of Michael Cohen's secret recording of Trump. During an early-Wednesday photo-op, Collins had pressed Trump on the Michael Cohen matter, asking, "Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President?" and, "Are you worried about what is on the other tapes, Mr. President?" No answers were given, and Collins was soon after told by the White House staff that she could not attend the open press event. Members of the press have since expressed outrage over the decision, including Fox News, which said in a statement, "we stand in strong solidarity with CNN for the right to full access for our journalists as part of a free and unfettered press."
Earlier in the week, the New York Times had reported that the president became upset when he saw Melania Trump's television on board Air Force One playing CNN. According to the Times, based on an email it obtained, "[Trump] raged at his staff for violating a rule that the White House entourage should begin each trip tuned to Fox — his preferred network over what he considers the 'fake news' CNN — and caused 'a bit of a stir.'"
White House correspondent April Ryan on Thursday weighed in on the controversy that erupted after the White House barred CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins from attending President Trump's Wednesday afternoon open press event in the Rose Garden. Ryan told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that she believes the action was, in part, due to Trump's reported rage over the first lady's television being tuned to CNN on Air Force One. She offered other reasons as well, including CNN's release of Michael Cohen's secret recording of Trump. During an early-Wednesday photo-op, Collins had pressed Trump on the Michael Cohen matter, asking, "Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President?" and, "Are you worried about what is on the other tapes, Mr. President?" No answers were given, and Collins was soon after told by the White House staff that she could not attend the open press event. Members of the press have since expressed outrage over the decision, including Fox News, which said in a statement, "we stand in strong solidarity with CNN for the right to full access for our journalists as part of a free and unfettered press."
Earlier in the week, the New York Times had reported that the president became upset when he saw Melania Trump's television on board Air Force One playing CNN. According to the Times, based on an email it obtained, "[Trump] raged at his staff for violating a rule that the White House entourage should begin each trip tuned to Fox — his preferred network over what he considers the 'fake news' CNN — and caused 'a bit of a stir.'"