Trump White House Accused of Cutting Press Pool Reports ‘It Doesn’t Like’ From Distribution List
(Pool via AP)
The Trump White House has reportedly been selectively withholding press pool reports from its official distribution list — effectively censoring dispatches that include information “it doesn’t like.”
As first reported in Status by journalist Oliver Darcy, at least two recent reports — one from the Dallas Morning News and another from RealClearPolitics — were filed by pool reporters but never made it to the broader press via the White House’s distribution system.
One omitted report, sent by reporter Joseph Morton of the Dallas Morning News, noted that an Associated Press reporter and photographer had been “turned away” from covering an event, despite a judge’s order restoring the AP’s access.
Another, by Philip Wegmann, detailed the abrupt cancellation of a Trump-Netanyahu press conference. Both reports were never shared through the official channels.
While pool reporters also send updates through a White House Correspondents’ Association listserv, many journalists — especially those at smaller or regional outlets — depend entirely on the White House’s official distribution.
“This is a perfect example of why the White House Correspondents’ Association for years has provided independent delivery of pool reports,” said WHCA president Eugene Daniels. “It’s critical that journalists who cover the presidency—and the Americans who rely on their coverage to stay informed—get unfiltered information free from government control.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not respond to Darcy’s requests for comment.
The move follows a broader pattern of more aggressive press management by the administration. Earlier this year, the White House took control of the press pool rotation, sidelined the AP, and removed HuffPost from coverage duties.
