CNN reporter barred
A CNN reporter was banned from a White House event Wednesday after she tried to ask President Trump questions about attorney Michael Cohen and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“They said that the questions I asked were inappropriate for that venue. And they said I was shouting,” said White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins.
Speaking to CNN’s Brian Stelter, Collins claimed that she was ordered into the office of Bill Shine, the White House’s recently appointed deputy chief-of-staff for communications, and scolded following an early-afternoon press conference.
Collins had been scheduled to attend a press “availability” later in the day involving Trump and European Commission leader Jean-Claude Juncker in the Rose Garden.
“They said, ‘You are dis-invited from the press availability,’ ” Collins recounted, noting that White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was also in Shine’s office.
The reporter told Stelter that she reacted by saying, “You’re banning me from an event because you didn’t like the questions I asked.”
According to CNN, Shine and Sanders claimed that they weren’t banning the entire network, just her.
“Your photographers can still come. Your producers can still come. But you are not invited,” Collins remembered the pair saying.
In response, CNN released a statement saying it was disappointed by the decision.
“Just because the White House is uncomfortable with a question regarding the news of day doesn’t mean the question isn’t relevant and shouldn’t be asked,” the network said.
CNN’s communications team posted the questions Collins asked on its Twitter page: “Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President” and “Why is Vladimir Putin not accepting your invitation?”
The White House said the move came after the “reporter shouted questions and refused to leave despite repeatedly being asked to do so.”
“She was not welcome to participate in the next event, but [it was] made clear that any other journalist from her network could attend,” they added.
“To be clear, we support a free press and ask that everyone be respectful of the presidency and guests at the White House.”