Sam Stein calls Trump’s White House press ban authoritarian
Managing editor at The Bulwark, speaking on Bulwark Takes
“We are firmly on the slope of authoritarianism. This is it.”
Source and context
Original video
About this source
Original Bulwark Takes video containing Stein’s and Saletan’s responses to the White House exclusion of CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The video also plays part of Barrasso’s NBC interview; NBC’s original recording and transcript remain the primary sources for his remarks.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
After summarizing reporters being turned away and losing credentials, Stein explained why he considered the exclusion consequential.
After the quotation
Stein distinguished private-platform moderation from government retaliation and urged collective action, citing other outlets’ response to a 2009 Obama White House briefing exclusion of Fox News.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should President Trump bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns whether Trump should exclude the three outlets because of their coverage. Stein describes the exclusion as authoritarian, says it attacks constitutional press freedom and urges collective resistance, directly condemning the action.
- Recorded on
- Published here
Should President Trump bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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“And I -- it’s kind of a loss for words, especially when the president says he just doesn’t want negative reporting. It’s critical reporting. It is intended to get facts.”Read statement