Trump-backed governor in the hot seat after vowing support for free press

Systemic Error Podcast · Sep 23, 2026 · 5m

REUTERS/Evan Vucci

Larry Rhoden’s Press-Freedom Promise Has a Presidential Exception

The Ban Is the Story

President Donald Trump announced that CNN, Politico and MS Now would be barred from the White House, accused them of reporting “fake news,” and later defended the decision while South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden stood beside him in the Oval Office. The three organizations subsequently sued to restore their access. Asked for his reaction, Rhoden repeatedly retreated to one sentence: “The president can make his own decisions.”

Power Does Not Need Rhoden’s Permission

Trump held the…