HighLights
  1. Trump and Mamdani debated White House press ban publicly.
  2. Mayor Mamdani emphasised importance of press freedom and access.
  3. Trump defended ban, citing concerns over media bias.

US President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed their differences over the ongoing row involving White House's decision to bar certain news outlets - CNN, MS NOW and Politico - during a joint news conference with New York City, while standing together in front of reporters. Trump has been in New York for a speech at the United Nations.

Mamdani, appearing with Trump after their meeting, touched upon the press censorship issue, saying it was important that those networks, and others, be present for the Gracie Mansion event. As they spoke to reporters after their first Oval Office meeting, both acknowledged their political and policy differences while standing side by side.

ALSO READ: Trump Sued By CNN, Politico, MS Now Over White House Ban; Major Networks Suspend US President's Coverage

Mamdani was asked about Trump's decision to bar certain news outlets from the White House, with the mayor saying it was important that those networks, and others, be present.

Trump's Quick Retort

As Mamdani protested Trump's decision, the President made a quick retort, saying his restrictions on the news organisations whose coverage he called biased. "It's interesting because they said they were gonna boycott me. But they never boycott me. I think that these outlets have an obligation to be fair," the President asserted.

ALSO READ: 'Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!': Trump Shuts Down CNN Reporter In Oval Office; White House Launches Personal Attack On Her Family

CNN, MS NOW And Politico Sue Trump

Earlier in the day, CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued Trump and other members of his administration for banning them from White House grounds. These news outlets said Trump's decision violated their rights to free speech and a free press under the US Constitution's First Amendment.

They sought a temporary restraining order to block Trump's action in federal court in Washington, DC, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

The extraordinary ban of the three news outlets' reporters began over the weekend. The decision to ban these news outlets is a clear escalation of Trump's long-running efforts in the courts and through administrative action to restrict news coverage he finds objectionable or, in his words, fake news.

(With Agencies Inputs)

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