Former Washington Post executive editor: The President ‘doesn’t actually believe in the first amendment’
CNN
Last updated: September 19, 2026
Former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron views President Trump's actions against news organizations, such as restricting CNN access to the White House, as a serious escalation of his attacks on the press. Baron suggests that Trump's behavior indicates a lack of genuine belief in the First Amendment.
- Baron argues that President Trump exhibits unchecked aggression towards journalists and news outlets. He believes the administration's actions are an attempt to manipulate and control the media landscape. This strategy, according to Baron, goes beyond typical political criticism and represents a direct challenge to the role of a free press in a democracy. The restriction of access to the White House for specific news organizations is highlighted as a concrete example of this broader effort. Baron's commentary suggests a pattern of behavior by the President aimed at undermining public trust in established news sources.
