Trump’s Media Ban Catches Senior White House Staff Off Guard As President Acts Without Chief Of Staff Present

Senior White House staffers learned of President Donald Trump’s media ban at the same time as the general public, according to a new report from Politico.

Trump issued a directive banning reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico while Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was out of town, sources told Politico.

Many in the West Wing were unaware of the move until they saw the president’s Friday afternoon announcement on his Truth Social platform.

Trump accused the three news organizations of reporting “LIES” but did not point to any specific article as the trigger for his decision.

Sources indicate that Trump had floated the idea of a media ban previously and chose to act on it while his top adviser was not in the building.

Over a dozen current and former Trump officials told Politico they were “puzzled by the development,” with others describing the 80-year-old president’s edict as a “head-scratcher.”

White House security revoked the physical press badges of CNN, MSNBC, and Politico reporters on Saturday, denying them entry to the building upon arrival.

MSNBC’s White House reporter, Akayla Gardner, described the moment her credentials were disabled at the gate.

“I attempted to scan my badge, which we have to do to be able to get into the White House grounds; it did not work,” Gardner said on air. “There was a red beeping light, and so the officer asked me to hand over my badge; he said that it was disabled.”

Sources tell Politico that discussions have taken place about expanding the ban to additional outlets, with Trump suggesting Friday that The New York Times and The Washington Post could be future targets.

Despite pushback from members of his own MAGA base over First Amendment concerns, Trump reportedly intends for the ban to be lasting and binding.

“It’s real and permanent as far as POTUS is concerned,” a source told Politico.

Sources also indicate that Trump has raised the idea of relocating the White House press corps to the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which would cut off reporters’ direct access to the West Wing.