Clinton rebukes Trump's White House press ban, says he resisted urge to do same
Former president says constitutional restraint prevented him from banning outlets, contrasting with Trump's court-blocked attempt.
What to know
- Bill Clinton defended press freedom by recounting his own restraint from banning outlets, arguing constitutional limits prevented him from actions Trump attempted.
- A federal judge blocked Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, though the outlets faced subsequent access restrictions at a state dinner.
- Both Clintons and Obama publicly opposed the ban, with Obama warning of partisan escalation if the precedent spreads to Democratic administrations.
The dispute Whether Clinton's historical conduct (Lewinsky scandal and his evasion during it) undermines the credibility of his current defense of press freedom and democratic norms. · positions read across 3 posts and comments
Clinton's restraint is admirable by comparison to Trump's actions, despite his own past abuses.
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“But you didn't, so good on you for that. It's funny how Clinton's abuse of power isn't even visible on the corruption scale when we zoom out far enough to see the full scope of Trump's corruption.”
Emu_on_the_Loose · Reddit ↗
Clinton's statement about press freedom is undermined by his own record with the press and his behavior toward women.
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“He did not. Because Ken Starr was so sexually repressed and a bad attorney that he wrote the definition of 'sexual relations' in such a way to the person receiving a blowjob was not having sexual relations, but the person giving the…”
1877KlownsForKids · Reddit ↗
Bill Clinton Former President
Donald Trump President
Hillary Clinton Former Secretary of State
Barack Obama Former President
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlespostscomments
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Banned outlets denied access to state dinner during Xi visit — MS NOW and CNN journalists reported they were denied access to the state dinner arrival at the White House during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, a precredentialed event.
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Federal judge orders Trump to reverse press ban — A judge ruled in favor of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, ordering the White House to reverse its ban. Journalists from the three outlets were initially denied entry after the ruling but were given access later in the day.
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Clinton rebukes Trump's press ban attempt
Former President Bill Clinton criticized Trump's ban of three news outlets from the White House, saying he too felt urges to ban the press corps during his presidency but was restrained by constitutional limits.
“There were lots of times when I wanted to ban the White House press corps. And there's a reason we have a constitution.”
— Bill Clinton -
first by The Hill, 6d ago
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He did not. Because Ken Starr was so sexually repressed and a bad attorney that he wrote the definition of "sexual relations" in such a way to the person receiving a blowjob was not having sexual relations, but the person giving the blowjob was.
2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
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I bet there were, Bill. But you didn't, so good on you for that. It's funny how Clinton's abuse of power isn't even visible on the corruption scale when we zoom out far enough to see the full scope of Trump's corruption.
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No no no you mis understood, he did NOT have sexual relations....with that woman....Ms Lewinsky.
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Obama says ban should not be partisan, criticizes GOP silence — Former President Obama stated the press ban 'should not be a partisan issue' and criticized Republicans for not opposing it, warning of tit-for-tat escalation if Democrats ever targeted Fox News.
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Hillary Clinton calls ban 'deeply disturbing' and authoritarian — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the ban against the three outlets is 'deeply disturbing' and characteristic of authoritarianism, part of necessary democratic give-and-take.
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Trump administration bans three news outlets from White House — President Trump attempted to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House access, citing unspecified reasons.