STATE-RUN TRUMP TV -- JUST LIKE AUTHORITARIAN AND COMMUNIST COUNTRIES.

 

Remember all the times Trump and MAGA claimed the Democrats were going to turn America "communist?"

Guess what:

Trump and the First Amendment

Many presidents have had a bad press – but Donald Trump’s decision to ban selected media from the White House is extreme

Who are the Americans who are OK with the president of the United States banning journalists because he doesn’t like what they write about him?

 I’m with Thomas Jefferson who said if we had to make a choice between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, he would choose the latter rather than the former. 

What’s happened to Americans that make so many accept this assault on our Constitution and the First Amendment? I hate to admit it, but a lot of Americans have become cowardly, frightened little people.

 Do not accept this. Ever! From anyone, least of all a convicted felon President. 

From the NYTimes:  "...the founders were clear in emphasizing, 'That freedom of the press meant the freedom to say things that the government did not like.' As James Madison wrote, 'To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.' And as the Times reminds, 'The Bill of Rights devotes part of its first item — the First Amendment — to the idea, barring any laws that abridge ‘the freedom of speech or of the press.' "

Jim Wright:

Yesterday, Trump banned specific members of the Free Press from the White House. 

Today, the White House Press Pool walked out in solidarity with CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The Press won't be traveling with the President to the UN. 

This morning, Vice President JD Vance argued before the Press that a "Republican White House" shouldn't have to give access to reporters who cover the Trump Administration unfavorably.

Trump says he imposed this ban because these reporters only report "fake news." In other words, Trump has declared himself the single authority of truth. HE decides what is true and what is false. It's his reality and you just live in it.

That's their argument. 

A President shouldn't have to give access to the Press if the Press doesn't report favorably on that President and his Administration. 

Think about that. 

No. No. REALLY think about that in terms of the rights enumerated in First Amendment. If Trump is the arbiter of Freedom of the Press, then by implication he also decides the rest of the Bill of Rights. YOUR rights. 

So, 

- a President shouldn't have to allow a citizen freedom of speech if that speech is unfavorable to the president

- a President shouldn't have to allow citizens to assemble if he thinks they'll be unfavorable to him

- a President shouldn't have to allow freedom of religion if that religion isn't favored by the President

- a President shouldn't have to allow a citizen to petition the government for redress of wrongs if the president doesn't think he himself is ever wrong.

Instead of "President," I should have said "King."

Because that's what Trump now is in all but name. 

And we are his subjects.

BREAKING:   Donald Trump was at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, but there was no audio — because none of the press showed up to cover it due to his bans of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Watching a clip on Newsmax I came across online, they had to cut away and point out that they couldn't understand what Trump was saying because there was no press there to cover it. --Allen Clifton

***************************************

Major TV networks that rotate covering the president for wider media distribution say they will not do so moving forward after President Trump banned three media outlets from the White House last week. 

Fox News Media, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and CNN responded to the ban in a rare joint statement, saying “the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.”

 

TO THE MAGAs WHO READ MY BLOG AND SOMETIMES COMMENT:

 

Tell us why you're all so upset with New York City Mayor Mamdani and Dr. El-Sayed, who is campaigning to be the U.S. Senator from Michigan,  but not this:

YOUR SUNDAY MOMENT OF ZEN

 

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC

 

 

Canada Welcomes EU Proposal to Become "Associate Member"

Canada is not going to become a full member of the European Union, as it is legally ineligible because it is not a European state. However, Canada and the EU are currently negotiating a historic "associate membership"—a newly proposed, unprecedented status that would stop just short of full membership.

Geopolitical Realignment:

Driven by escalating trade tensions and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada is looking to diversify its economy away from its heavy dependence on the United States. [1, 2, 3]

Mobility: Ottawa is exploring an arrangement that would allow Canadian citizens to live and work in Europe visa-free. [1]

Sector Cooperation: Deeper Integration is planned across defense procurement, AI, cybersecurity, the Arctic, critical minerals, and clean energy. Canada has already paved the way by becoming the first non-European country to join the EU's €150-billion SAFE defense procurement program

 

Mark Carney just got a standing ovation from European Parliament after he took a stand against Trump. The world doesn’t respect us anymore. The world is partnering against us. 

America first means America alone.

Mark Carney: "We are not fair-weather allies. We do not pursue zero-sum deals. Our commitment to the rule of law and our unyielding defense of human dignity, individual freedom, and democracy share the same deep roots, the same unwavering dedication."

 

President of the European Union Ursula Von der Leyen described the proposed framework as an “Alliance for the Future,” designed to connect European and Canadian economic and security interests more closely. Prime Minister Mark Carney responded: “It will make Europe stronger, it will make Canada stronger. It will make, I’ll speak for Canada, Canada a better partner with the United States. And with respect to sovereignty …. we are looking for partnerships that are complimentary, that reinforce our sovereignty. And that’s what’s on offer here.”

 

Trump did that: