Tom Jones is a journalist and Poynter's senior media writer. He writes The Poynter Report and hosts its media podcast. His earlier work includes sports reporting and commentary for the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Tribune and Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He wrote Two Cents, a weekly column reviewing sports coverage on television and radio.
Case
Trump announced a White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over their coverage. Read his original post, the outlets' responses and their accounts of reporters being refused entry.
Role at the time: Poynter media columnist
Statement summary
Jones said the White House ban appeared to violate the outlets' First Amendment rights. He contrasted the administration's national-security argument with Trump's initial comments about their coverage.
“All indications are that Trump’s ban from the White House violates the news outlets’ First Amendment rights.”
Jones rejects the exclusion as a likely violation of press rights. He is giving his own assessment rather than reporting a final court judgment.
Statement dates: October 6, 2026
Statement dates: October 6, 2026
Statement dates: October 6, 2026
