Team Trump Bans Top Media Outlets From Election Night Watch Party – What Triggered The Move?

Former president Donald Trump, who has often been on the wrong side of the larger section of the US media, has reportedly denied entry to journalists from multiple news organisations access to his election night watch event in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Reporters at Politico, Axios, Puck, Voice of America and Mother Jones were among those denied credentials, according to CNN. Team Trump apparently took the decision in retaliation for their coverage of the former President’s campaign.

A few media organisations like Politico were earlier granted access to the event but the decision, according to CNN, was revoked after an article in Politico magazine, which reported that a Trump campaign field director was fired for being a White nationalist. Politico has denied any comment over the controversy.

Similarly Puck’s reporter was also set to cover the event as part of Amazon’s election night special hosted by Brian Williams. Sadly, the correspondent in question published a piece about “anxiety” within the Trump campaign close to the event. Result? Her credential was denied.

Puck co-founder and editor-in-chief Jon Kelly said in a statement the campaign’s decision was “unfortunate, but the impediment will not in any way prevent Tara or any of my partners from reporting rigorously and ferociously on the story of our time.”

A person familiar with the Trump campaign’s decisions, according to CNN, admitted that some reporters were denied access but rejected the claim that it was because of “critical” coverage and said this report was “inaccurate.” He added that many other reporters would attend the event. Spokesperson for the Trump campaign, however, did not respond to CNN’s request for comment about the denials.

Donald Trump, during his run up to the elections, has been attacking the media and also vowed to jail reporters who “don’t reveal confidential sources”. In his rallies, he said media organisations should be investigated for “treason,” and broadcasters should lose their licenses over “perceived bias” against him.

The move, however, is not a new move for Team Trump. In 2018, the Trump White House revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credential, only to be forced to restore the credential following a lawsuit filed by CNN.

The United States is polling in all 50 states in the November 5 election seen to be a close fight between the former US president Donald Trump from the Republican side and Kamala Harris for Democrats. The results are likely to be out by Wednesday night EST.