U.S.TOP STORY

Appeals court skeptical of Trump bid to shield presidential records

Judges on the appeals court pressed lawyers over Trump's effort to keep presidential records out of view; the ruling will decide who gets to read them.

On air: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on BBN Tonight
Published 7:16 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN Tonight at 7:16 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Politico's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Donald Trump — Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Politico: “Appeals court appears skeptical of Trump’s attempt to shield presidential records”, with reporting from Fox News.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:16 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Trump.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAn appeals court sounded skeptical today of Donald Trump's attempt to shield presidential records, according to Politico, and the judges seemed to have plenty of questions about it.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSkeptical judges! I love a judge with questions, because a question is just an answer that hasn't finished growing up.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI'm even happier than that, because somebody is finally going to open the boxes.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe boxes?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe record is exactly what the court is arguing about, Vera.

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