Donald Trump is bracing for a loss in the lawsuit brought by three media organizations, as he considers that the judge presiding over the case – his own appointee – previously ordered the White House to restore credentials for journalist Jim Acosta. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
"They have drawn a great Judge, for them, a man who ruled in favor of Jim Acosta, who now seems to have disappeared from the Planet," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to a lawsuit filed by CNN in 2018.
"The Judge's name is Tim Kelly, and he was, sadly, appointed by 'TRUMP.' In other words, almost without question and, as usual, we'll go for appeal because Fake News people and publications that only write negatively, and who violate our National Security by writing false and defamatory stories with unknown 'sources,' shouldn't be allowed access to the most important Office anywhere in the World."
Trump's statement came amid ongoing disputes over the White House's restrictions on the press. In his Truth Social post, he expressed dissatisfaction with the judge overseeing the case and said the matter would go to appeal.
Three media organizations that Trump banned from the White House had previously filed a lawsuit. According to the president, he may lose the case.
Trump's words suggest he doubts the outcome of the legal proceedings. He recalled the previous ruling by Judge Tim Kelly and assessed it as a factor against him.
In 2018, a lawsuit was filed over the revocation of CNN journalist Jim Acosta's White House credentials. At that time, a judge ordered the White House to restore Acosta's credentials.
In his post, Trump described Acosta as having "disappeared from the Planet." These words were made as a reference to the previous legal case.
The president also criticized outlets and journalists he calls "Fake News," claiming they harm national security. He stated that such publications should not be allowed access to the White House.
Trump's statement indicates a worsening relationship between the White House and the press. According to the president, he is dissatisfied with the court's decision and intends to appeal.
Disputes between the president and the press over credentials have occurred before in the US. The 2018 CNN case remains in history as one example of such disputes.
Trump's new statement is seen as a continuation of this dispute. In his social media post, he openly stated his position regarding the judge and the press.