Trump’s campaign team blocks some journalists from the watch party

At least six journalists were denied media credentials to cover Donald Trump’s election night party in Florida. At least one of them was told this was the case because of their coverage of the Republican presidential candidate.

VOA confirmed that the six journalists work for media sites Axios, Politico and Puck.

In Politico’s case, three reporters and a photographer were approved to attend the event in Florida.

On Monday, Politico Magazine reported that a white nationalist had been fired for his work on the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania. The next morning, Politico reporters and photographers learned that their credentials had been revoked.

Politico declined to comment to VOA.

Tara Palmeri, political correspondent for the news site Puck, was publicly denied access by Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita.

In one Post on the social media platform X Last Thursday, LaCivita said Palmeri was denied entry into Mar-a-Largo.

Palmeri confirmed the incident in an email to VOA. She was scheduled to cover the Republican Watch Party as part of the Amazon Election Night special hosted by Brian Williams.

In a podcast, the journalist said she would now broadcast from Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Axios reporter Sophia Cai was reportedly denied credentials shortly after she reported on “fear” in the Trump campaign ahead of Election Day.

Cai referred VOA to Axios’ communications team. In a statement emailed to VOA, Axios Editor-in-Chief Aja Whitaker-Moore defended Cai, calling her “an excellent reporter who covered the 2024 presidential election with in-depth, clinical reporting.”

VOA contacted the Trump campaign for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.

CNN reported that VOA journalists were among those denied accreditation for their reporting, which a VOA spokesman denied.

“VOA requested multiple passes to cover the Trump headquarters and some were approved, but not all could be considered,” a VOA spokesperson said.

Separately, Trump sued CBS News last week over an interview with Democratic rival Kamala Harris and filed a complaint about it with the Federal Election Commission The Washington Post.

Media analysts have expressed concerns that Trump will restrict press freedom in the US if he returns to the White House. During his campaign, he called on major news networks to lose their broadcast licenses.

Trump’s campaign and his previous administration have already revoked the licenses of journalists, including Jim Acosta, then CNN’s White House correspondent, in 2018.