Politics & Government
Local Media Claims MN GOP Chairwoman Is Lying About Press Rules
The Republican Chairwoman is in a public spat with local reporters Thursday, hours before President Donald Trump arrives.
MINNEAPOLIS — Hours before President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally in downtown Minneapolis, local media members say Minnesota's top GOP official is lying about press rules surrounding the event.
"Mayor Jacob Frey stifles free speech and press again," Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said on Twitter. "The city of Minneapolis has banned tv cameras and media from interviewing rally goers waiting in the skyways for the rally."
Members of the press, from outlets including WCCO Radio and the Star Tribune, said Carnahan's claim is inaccurate.
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1- This isn't true. There's no ban on anyone. 2- Follow along with us, our reporters @SloaneMartin and @MarkFreie all afternoon/evening for the latest updates from both sides. https://t.co/vhq93ym5PV
— WCCO Radio (@wccoradio) October 10, 2019
Star tribune reporter @MaraKlecker has been tweeting from the line and skyways all day, so it seems like this is not true. If you have a source please pass it in though.
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) October 10, 2019
As a fellow Newhouse grad [you of all people] should understand the ethics of journalism and free speech. The only sad thing about my tweet is that it’s true.
— Jennifer Carnahan (@jkcarnah) October 10, 2019
Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the allegation as well, saying it isn't true:
This remains untrue. Perhaps @mngop needs to touch base w Secret Service RE: security protocol. Meantime, why doesn’t everyone give our hometown journalists - who don’t spread misinformation like this - a follow @StarTribune @MPRnews @MinnPost @KSTP @FOX9 @WCCO @kare11 @wccoradio pic.twitter.com/KoloMgxNHF
— Jacob Frey (@Jacob_Frey) October 10, 2019
Additionally, City of Minneapolis spokesman Casper Hill told KARE 11 that the majority of the skyways in downtown are owned by businesses. The exception is the skyways connected to public buildings, such as a county building or city hall.
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"No City government policy banning TV cameras and media from interviewing in the skyways," Hill told the station.
Trump rally details:
- 7 p.m. Thursday
- Target Center, 600 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis
More coverage:
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