Trump's campaign team disputes and withdraws the election certificate from journalists after critical reporting

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CNN
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Journalists from several news organizations were denied entry to former President Donald Trump's election night rally in West Palm Beach, Florida, in retaliation for their coverage of Trump's campaign.

Reporters from Politico, Axios, Puck, Voice of America and Mother Jones were among those denied credentials. Some, like Politico, had previously been granted access to Tuesday night's event, but the decision was overturned.

Politico's team of reporters and a photographer were initially allowed to attend the event, but were surprised to discover on Tuesday morning that they had been denied entry, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. The person said the decision was made in response to an article in Politico magazine that reported that a Trump campaign official was fired because he was a white nationalist.

A Politico spokesperson declined to comment.

Puck's political correspondent Tara Palmeri was also scheduled to cover the event as part of Amazon's Election Night special hosted by Brian Williams. But around the time Palmeri published an article about “fear” in the Trump campaign, she was denied approval.

“I know I told you I would be covering the Trump campaign party from Palm Beach, but it turns out I upset Trump's campaign managers with my reporting and they decided to reject my credentials,” Palmeri said in the Podcast “Somebody’s Gotta Win.”

“I have been honest and fair about this choice all along and will now be broadcasting in studio with Brian Williams from LA,” she added.

Puck co-founder and editor-in-chief Jon Kelly said in a statement that the campaign's decision was “regrettable, but the obstacle will in no way deter Tara or any of my partners from rigorously and fiercely reporting on the history of our time.”

A person familiar with the campaign's decisions acknowledged that reporters had been denied access because of their reporting, but rejected the suggestion that this was because of “critical” reporting, claiming the reporting was “inaccurate.” The person said other media reporters could attend the event.

Trump campaign spokespeople did not respond to CNN's request for comment on the denials, but campaign co-chair Chris LaCivita did wrote on X Last week, Palmeri was “denied entry to Mar-a-largo (sic) to cover election night because of her propensity to write nonsense. “Well, oh well.”

After another user suggested that “this should happen more often,” LaCivita wrote back: “We have a list and we check it twice.”

In the run-up to the election, Trump regularly attacked the media. He has vowed to jail reporters who do not reveal confidential sources, said media organizations should be investigated for “treason” and broadcasters should lose their licenses for alleged bias against him.

Axios reporter Sophia Cai was also denied entry to the election night event shortly after she reported “fear” within the Trump campaign ahead of Election Day, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.

Axios Editor-in-Chief Aja Whitaker-Moore defended Cai's reporting in a statement, calling her an “outstanding reporter who has covered the 2024 presidential election with essential, clinical reporting for Axios.”

Reporters from Voice of America and Mother Jones were also denied access, reporters from media outlets told X and CNN.

The Trump campaign and his previous administration have suspended reporters' credentials in the past, often in retaliation for their reporting. In 2018, the Trump White House revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press privileges, but had to restore them after CNN filed a lawsuit.