It was just another brisk day in Washington, yet it felt like a scene ripped straight from a holiday movie—or perhaps a circus, depending on your political leanings. As if finding out Santa Claus is real, the media world buzzed with the news that President Trump had thrown CNN, MSNBC, and Politico out of the White House. Indeed, the drama unfolded with all the magic and surprise of a holiday morning, but for these media giants, it was more akin to finding coal in their stocking.

For those unfamiliar with the ins and outs of political drama, this move by President Trump may seem shocking. But in reality, it’s been on his wish list for quite some time. The president had long accused certain news outlets of peddling fake news, and now it appears he’s finally delivered what he’s been promising. Reporters from these ousted outlets found themselves cut off, with one MSNBC journalist reportedly on the brink of tears after her access badge stopped working. It was like a scene straight out of a reality TV show—minus the roses.

Now, before any tears are shed over the plight of these media outlets, let’s take a little walk down memory lane. Recall the not-too-distant past when then-President Trump found himself banned from nearly every social media platform imaginable. There were no tears from the so-called bastions of free speech when that happened. Quite the contrary, there was a collective glee from some quarters as Trump found himself exiled from digital platforms far and wide. Yet here we are, with cameras capturing the forlorn expressions outside the White House gates. Ironic, isn’t it?

The media’s reaction brings up an interesting question about what freedom of the press actually entails. While the Constitution is clear about the freedom of the press, it doesn’t spell out a guaranteed seat at the White House press briefings. Sure, journalists have the right to write, report, and broadcast whatever they choose, but access to the press room still feels a bit like a VIP club. And let’s be honest, it’s not a club everyone can get into. Just ask Breitbart or the other outlets previously banned under different administrations.

In the grand scheme of things, this latest episode is another chapter in the ongoing saga of Trump versus the media. It’s like watching a soap opera play out in real life—tension, drama, and plenty of cliffhangers. The media still has every right to report, just perhaps with a splash of humor and a bit more distance from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As these ousted journalists ponder their next moves, one can only imagine the headlines yet to come. Meanwhile, President Trump relishes his role as the cat that’s got the cream—or maybe the chocolate ice cream Joe Biden so famously enjoys. Whatever flavor of political antics come next, it’s safe to say we won’t be running out of entertainment anytime soon.