Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham has predicted that Donald Trump will intensify his conflicts with the press, stating he is "backed into a corner" but unwilling to admit it.
Grisham's remarks came in response to Trump's decision to ban CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from the White House grounds, a move that prompted the five television networks in the presidential TV pool to suspend coverage. As a result, Trump's comments during the unveiling of a new helipad on the South Lawn were largely inaudible.
"He's not going to admit that," Grisham said of Trump's position, predicting that he will "continue to double down." She suggested this approach includes fighting legal challenges to his actions, potentially all the way to the Supreme Court.
Grisham also posited that Trump might be "relying on his pardon power" by encouraging individuals to follow potentially unlawful instructions with the expectation of future pardons. "I think he'll continue to double down, he's not going to admit this was a bad choice," she stated.
Recalling events from Trump's first term, Grisham mentioned that she was once tasked with finding alternative workspaces for journalists outside the White House because Trump desired their removal from the grounds. She indicated this desire extended beyond the limited number of outlets currently facing bans.
Grisham's comments were made during an interview on CNN's "OutFront" with anchor Erin Burnett. The situation highlights an ongoing tension between the former president and news organizations, with Grisham anticipating a continued escalation rather than a de-escalation from Trump.