WASHINGTON, US – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are being banned from the White House, escalating his administration’s ongoing confrontation with major news organisations.
Trump announced the move on Truth Social on Friday, September 18, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news” about his administration.
“Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States,” Trump wrote, warning that “other Fake News Media Outlets” could follow.
The White House did not immediately provide details on how the ban would be implemented. Reports also indicated that the precise effect on the outlets’ White House access was not immediately clear.
Trump defends media ban
Trump later defended the decision during an event at the White House, arguing that media organisations should not be allowed to publish what he considers false reports about him or his administration.
When a reporter raised the president’s constitutional obligation to uphold the First Amendment, Trump said he was tired of seeing what he called “fake news”.
“There may be others to join them,” Trump warned, while suggesting that The New York Times and The Washington Post could also face restrictions.
Trump argued that the government should be able to exclude news organisations that repeatedly publish what he regards as false information.
His comments have intensified concerns over the relationship between the White House and the press and the constitutional questions surrounding government control of journalists’ access.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico targeted
Trump did not identify specific reports that prompted the latest action.
In his Truth Social post, however, he accused CNN, MS NOW and Politico of repeatedly reporting “fiction and lies” about the president, his administration and the United States.
Reuters reported that the three outlets and the National Press Club had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
CNN’s White House team was also reported to have remained at the White House after Trump’s announcement, highlighting uncertainty over how the directive would be enforced.
Trump has repeatedly clashed with US media
The latest confrontation follows a series of disputes between Trump and news organisations since he returned to office.
The administration previously restricted access for The Associated Press after the news agency continued using the term “Gulf of Mexico” rather than Trump’s preferred “Gulf of America”.
A federal judge in 2025 ordered the White House to restore AP access to presidential spaces, although subsequent litigation over access to restricted areas continued.
Trump has also engaged in legal disputes with several major media organisations and has repeatedly criticised outlets whose coverage he considers hostile to his administration.
Pentagon press restrictions challenged in court
The administration’s approach to press access has also faced legal challenges at the Pentagon.
In March 2026, US District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that portions of a Pentagon press-access policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments after a lawsuit brought by The New York Times.
The policy had imposed restrictions on journalists’ ability to seek information that the Defence Department had not authorised for release.
The legal battle has continued, with an appeals court later allowing some restrictions, including requirements that journalists be escorted while inside Pentagon facilities during the appeal.
