Former President Barack Obama is suddenly concerned about press freedom — but his selective memory left out one important detail: he tried to do the same thing.
In a headline-grabbing appearance at Hamilton College in New York, Obama criticized President Trump’s decision to shake up the White House press pool, saying:
“Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening.”
🔥 Obama Tried to Shut Out Fox News in 2009
But here’s what Obama didn’t say.
In 2009, during his first year in office, the Obama administration tried to block Fox News from a White House press pool interview with “executive-pay czar” Kenneth Feinberg. Other networks were allowed in — but Fox was blacklisted.
The move sparked outrage. Even CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC protested the decision, forcing the White House to back down.
At the time, Obama’s communications director Anita Dunn publicly dismissed Fox, saying:
“We see Fox right now as the outlet for Republican talking points. We don’t need to treat them like a real news organization.”
So much for the First Amendment.
🇺🇸 Trump Restores Balance to a Biased Media Landscape
President Donald Trump has taken a bold step to correct decades of liberal media dominance in the White House press corps.
For nearly a century, the powerful White House Correspondents Association had total control over who got access to the president. It was an exclusive club — dominated by legacy outlets like the AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, and CNN.
But under President Trump, that ends now.
The Trump administration recently eliminated automatic press pool spots for the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg. Those reserved seats have now been replaced with rotating access, giving smaller, independent, and conservative media outlets a voice for the first time in years.
📉 Legacy Media Melts Down as Access Shrinks
In February, the White House revoked the AP’s press access to an Oval Office event after the outlet refused to adopt the patriotic term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
Shortly after, the HuffPost lost its daily pool position. Its reporter was quietly replaced by someone from Axios — a move that stunned the mainstream press.
Now, President Trump’s team is preparing to take back control of the press briefing room seating chart, stripping away yet another tool of influence from left-leaning outlets.
🧠 Obama Resurfaces With Another Political Lecture
Since leaving office, Obama has largely stayed quiet — only reappearing when it’s politically convenient. Now, with President Trump gaining momentum for 2024, he’s back with another round of lectures and hypocrisy.
In his New York remarks, Obama even suggested Trump’s policies amount to economic punishment for dissent. He said:
“Imagine if I said law firms critical of me couldn’t enter government buildings… Imagine punishing dissenters of the Affordable Care Act.”
But again — Obama forgets the facts.
⚖️ Trump Targets Corrupt Law Firms That Attack America First Agenda
Last month, the Trump administration moved to pull security credentials from Perkins Coie, the law firm behind the discredited Steele dossier. Although a judge temporarily blocked the move, the message was clear: deep-state actors won’t be protected.
Other firms, like Paul Weiss, folded quickly — agreeing to provide $40 million in pro bono legal work after Trump signed an executive order affecting their business.
Trump has also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate law firms that file frivolous lawsuits against the administration. Her office is exploring ways to hold them accountable, including economic penalties.
🗽 Free Speech Is for Everyone — Not Just the Left
While Obama warns about “imaginary” threats to democracy, President Trump is actually expanding media access and holding powerful institutions accountable.
The conservative 50+ generation remembers how the media treated Trump during his presidency — and how Obama got a free pass.
That era is over.