Did they endorse him?
They wanted an autograph from the CIC.
What if they wanted an autograph from Eisenhower?
The Red MAGA hat is seen as an endorsement, different than just asking for a plain autograph. Autographing one of his books might be iffy also. (I don’t agree with this interpretation, but that’s what is being debated).
They’re complaining about the footage of Trump signing a MAGA hat. Personal item and it was not a campaign event; it was an official visit as CinC.
When Gen Sherman was told he had to give the reporters deference he wanted to put them out at the front of the line going into battle so they could better report the action. He called them all spies and he was correct; then and now.