The White House has launched a new initiative that publicly criticizes mainstream media outlets, labeling them as biased and misleading. The initiative features a “Hall of Shame” on its official website, which includes a list of 22 media organizations described as “repeat offenders” that consistently misrepresent facts. Among those named are the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, CNN, and Politico, in addition to major broadcasters such as ABC, NBC, and CBS.
The new web page was introduced on October 27, 2023, and aims to address what the administration perceives as ongoing inaccuracies in media reporting. Notably, the Boston Globe, CBS News, and the British outlet The Independent are singled out for their coverage of President Donald Trump‘s remarks regarding a video featuring six Democratic members of Congress. In the video, Senator Mark Kelly and others remind troops of their duty to uphold the Constitution and their right to disobey illegal orders.
In response to this video, President Trump criticized the lawmakers, labeling their actions as “seditious behavior” and suggesting they should face legal consequences. He stated, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” on his social media platform, Truth Social. The White House’s page claims that the media misrepresented Trump’s remarks by suggesting he called for the “execution” of these lawmakers.
Among the accusations made by the White House, they contend that the media has painted a misleading narrative by asserting that Trump issued illegal orders. The page states, “President Trump has never issued an illegal order. The Fake News knew that, but ran with the story anyway.” This broad characterization of media coverage reflects the administration’s ongoing tension with various news organizations.
The inclusion of CBS News on the list is particularly noteworthy, given that Bari Weiss recently took over its news division with a commitment to address perceived biases in reporting. Trump welcomed Weiss’s appointment during an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” expressing confidence in her leadership.
In response to the White House’s claims, the Washington Post quoted an internal spokesperson affirming the newspaper’s dedication to “accurate, rigorous journalism.” The Boston Globe, CBS News, and The Independent did not immediately respond to requests for comments from various media outlets.
This initiative by the White House illustrates the escalating conflict between the Trump administration and the media it perceives as hostile. As the relationship between political figures and news organizations continues to evolve, scrutiny over media accuracy remains a pivotal issue in the current political landscape.
