US President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are being banned from the White House, escalating his long-running dispute with news organisations over their coverage of his administration.
Trump announced the move on Truth Social on Friday, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly reporting what he called “fiction and lies”. He did not identify specific reports that prompted the decision.
Trump later described it as a “very simple ban” and suggested that other outlets could face similar action. The New York Times and Washington Post were among organisations he criticised, although he did not announce that they would be banned. The practical details of the announcement remained unclear. Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were still able to access the White House grounds shortly after Trump’s statement, raising questions about whether the move would cover the press pool, briefings, general access or all White House facilities.
CNN condemned the announcement, saying it would defend its White House reporting team. Also arguing that government interference with its coverage would violate constitutional protections. Politico also said it would continue covering the current and future White Houses and would defend its First Amendment rights. MS NOW did not immediately comment.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also opposed the move. Its president, Jacqui Heinrich, said press freedom protections do not depend on whether a president approves of a news organisation’s coverage or questions.
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Potential Legal Roadblocks
The announcement is likely to face legal challenges. Trump has previously clashed with journalists over access to the White House. During his first term, CNN reporter Jim Acosta was temporarily barred from the White House. This was before a court ordered his press credentials restored.
Trump’s administration also restricted Associated Press access in 2025 after the outlet declined to adopt the administration’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. The AP challenged the restriction in court.
