White House bans Wall Street Journal from press pool covering Trump trip as feud escalates

Source: The Hill

07/21/25 3:55 PM ET


The White House is banning the Wall Street Journal from traveling with President Trump during an upcoming trip to Scotland over the outlet’s reporting on the president’s alleged relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.

“The Wall Street Journal or any other news outlet are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in his private workspaces,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Hill on Monday. “Thirteen diverse outlets will participate in the press pool to cover the President’s trip to Scotland. Due to the Wall Street Journal’s fake and defamatory conduct, they will not be one of the thirteen outlets on board.”

Leavitt cited a decision by a federal appeals court which ruled earlier this year the White House could restrict The Associated Press (AP) from the Oval Office and other limited spaces when reporting on the president.

“Every news organization in the entire world wishes to cover President Trump, and the White House has taken significant steps to include as many voices as possible,” Leavitt said. A representative for the Wall Street Journal declined to comment.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5412239-trump-wsj-pool-scotland-trip/