Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy on Tuesday said he has directly urged President Trump to reconsider his decision to bar reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS Now from White House events, warning that the move could set a dangerous precedent for press freedom.
In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Ruddy said, "I've urged the president to reconsider his position. I hope he will. I think it would be a smart decision going forward." He acknowledged that Trump may feel justified given his perception of biased coverage, but added, "I think we should always err on the side of the constitutional freedoms."
Ruddy, whose conservative outlet has often been friendly to the administration, also told The New York Times that the ban "would set a bad precedent for all media, including conservative outlets like Newsmax." He noted that Newsmax has asked tough questions during both the Obama and Biden administrations without facing any threat of being banned.
The president's decision, announced last Friday, stripped press credentials from the three outlets' reporters, who were escorted off White House grounds the following day. Trump accused them of "fake news," a charge he reiterated on Truth Social, calling the media "corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control."
The three outlets filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, arguing the ban is a "direct assault on the First Amendment." On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, expressed skepticism about the administration's actions, saying due process "wasn't followed here."
The Department of Justice defended the ban, describing White House access as a "privilege" and citing alleged failures by the outlets to meet "professionalism and decorum" standards or to protect sensitive information. The DOJ argued the administration had legitimate concerns about the outlets' reporting practices.
Other news organizations have rallied behind the banned outlets. Fox News contributors condemned the move, and major TV networks pulled their correspondents from the White House press pool in solidarity. The dispute has escalated tensions between the administration and the press, with Trump confronting a CNN reporter at the UN this week, further fueling the feud.
Ruddy's intervention is notable given his usually supportive stance toward Trump. He argued that even if the president believes the reporting is unfair, the constitutional guarantee of a free press should take precedence. "The Constitution doesn't protect fair and honest reporting," he said. "It only protects the free press."
As the legal battle unfolds, the case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over press freedom and executive power. With Trump's approval rating at 29% and midterm elections looming, the controversy could have political ramifications for Republicans. Some Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Jeffries, have seized on the issue to criticize the administration.
