Trump forecasts court defeat, appeal over ban of media outlets

President Donald Trump on Monday lamented that U.S. District Judge Tim Kelly, his own appointee, would take up the case of his ban on three media outlets from the White House, suggesting his involvement signaled a likely defeat and the need to appeal.

Kelly previously sided with CNN in a dispute over then-White House correspondent Jim Acosta's ouster from the press pool during Trump's first term.

"They have drawn a great Judge, for them, a man who ruled in favor of Jim Acosta, who now seems to have disappeared from the Planet. The Judge’s name is Tim Kelly, and he was, sadly, appointed by 'TRUMP.'" he posted on Truth Social. "In other words, almost without question and, as usual, we’ll go for appeal because Fake News people and publications that only write negatively, and who violate our National Security by writing false and defamatory stories with unknown 'sources,' shouldn’t be allowed access to the most important Office anywhere in the World."

CNN, Politico, and MSNOW filed a suit on Monday over Trump's decision to ban them from the White House. Trump has defended the move, contending that the three outlets published only "fake news" about him.

The White House, meanwhile, doubled down on the ban, saying that "access is a privilege - not a right."

"Why should I have to give “access” to such people? Perhaps Judge Kelly could explain that! In any event, I have an obligation to fight for the Success and Safety of our Country," Trump added.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.