Reference News Network, July 23 report - According to AFP, on July 21, the White House announced that The Wall Street Journal would be removed from the list of media accompanying President Trump to Scotland later this week. This came after the newspaper published a report revealing Trump's relationship with the late wealthy businessman Epstein, who was accused of sexual crimes.

Trump is scheduled for a private visit to Scotland from July 25 to 29, during which he will meet with British Prime Minister Starmer.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt stated in a statement: "Due to The Wall Street Journal's false and defamatory actions, they are no longer among the 13 media outlets on Air Force One." The president of the White House Correspondents' Association, Jiang Weijia, said that this decision was "deeply concerning," and called for The Wall Street Journal to be re-included in the media team on the presidential aircraft.

Last Friday, Trump criticized The Wall Street Journal and its owner Murdoch for defamation. This was because the newspaper had previously published an article revealing that Trump had written a "pornographic letter" to Epstein, which embarrassed him greatly.

Since January, when Trump took office, the White House has regained control over close reporting of the president, especially the press team on the presidential aircraft. Previously, it was usually the White House Correspondents' Association that determined the media list.

For example, the White House excluded mainstream media such as Associated Press, because they continued to use "Gulf of Mexico" instead of Trump's renamed "American Gulf". In turn, the White House also invited some internet celebrities or online writers during the president's travels, who all claimed to support the "Make America Great Again" movement.

Epstein's death provided many conspiracy theories, including that he was murdered to prevent those involved from being exposed. In recent years, some key figures of Trumpism have been striving to get the "client list" of this wealthy man made public, and Trump had a close relationship with Epstein. (Translated by Lu Longjun)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530104325113217575/

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