Sep 18·Geo
Follow-up Sep 22 Major27
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Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House; launches Trump TV
President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House on September 18, accusing them of false reporting. Journalists from the three outlets were denied entry the following day. In response, five major TV networks suspended pool coverage of Trump on Monday, and the three banned outlets filed a lawsuit. The White House subsequently launched Trump TV, a YouTube livestream, as an alternative direct communication channel.
Quick Facts
- Trump announced ban on three news outlets from White House
- Trump accused outlets of reporting false news
- Journalists from three outlets denied entry to White House
- Press credentials confiscated or deactivated
- Five TV networks suspended pool coverage in solidarity
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On Friday, September 18, President Donald Trump announced he was immediately banning CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), and Politico from the White House, citing what he characterized as false reporting. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the outlets "constantly write or report FICTION and LIES" about his administration, though he provided no specific examples of problematic coverage. He warned that "Other Fake News Media Outlets" could face similar restrictions and named The New York Times and The Washington Post as possible targets.
Trump indicated the ban reflected cumulative frustration rather than a single triggering incident. "It's really just cumulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it," he told reporters in the Oval Office. When asked whether he justified the ban despite First Amendment protections, Trump said: "Because they're fake news" and "I don't have to let them into the people's house."
On Saturday morning, journalists from all three outlets were denied entry to the White House. CNN reporter Betsy Klein and MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner reported being turned away with their press credentials deactivated or confiscated. Politico reporter Cheyenne Haslett also had her badge revoked by the Secret Service. The three outlets immediately denounced the action as unconstitutional and vowed to defend their First Amendment rights.
In response, the five networks comprising the White House television pool—ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC—suspended pooled coverage of presidential events on Monday in solidarity with CNN's ban. The suspension meant no shared television feed was available for Trump's scheduled pool events, including coverage of his trip to the United Nations General Assembly. Still photographers from major outlets also withheld images from distribution on Monday as a sign of support.
On Monday evening, the White House launched Trump TV, a 24/7 YouTube livestream titled "Trump TV: The Essentials Station," featuring Trump's speeches and administration content. The stream was integrated into the White House website and described as a means to communicate directly with the public, bypassing what the administration called "fake news" media. The White House defended the platform as delivering unfiltered information about the administration's accomplishments.
Meanwhile, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a lawsuit Monday challenging their exclusion from the White House on First Amendment and due process grounds, seeking a temporary restraining order to restore their access. The White House Correspondents' Association and numerous press freedom organizations, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Amnesty International, condemned the ban as an assault on press freedom. Legal experts noted that such broad restrictions on press access could face significant constitutional challenges, though courts have granted presidents discretion over access to specific events like Oval Office meetings.
Why This Matters
Press access restrictions and media relations affect news distribution to the public, market sentiment toward news companies' stock valuations, and legal precedent for First Amendment protections. The suspension of pooled White House coverage by five networks limits real-time visual coverage of presidential events. The launch of direct administration media affects viewership metrics and advertising revenue flows for traditional news outlets. Litigation outcomes could establish new precedent on presidential discretion over press credentials and compound First Amendment case law.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2018
WireTrump administration revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials; later restored after lawsuit
Nov 1, 2018
WireTrump revokes CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press credentials following contentious press conference exchange
Sep 22, 2026
WireFive major television networks (ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, NBC) suspend pooled television coverage of the president
Sep 22, 2026
WireCNN, MS NOW, and Politico file lawsuits seeking temporary restraining orders to restore access
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Sources
- Trump Moves to Bar Three News Outlets From White HousebloombergWireSep 19, 2026
- Trump Ban Ms Now Media D160e253453229600ce54f8e91351523apWireSep 19, 2026
- What is the White House pool? These days, it's a battleground between Trump and free press rightsAP NewsWireSep 21, 2026
- Donald Trump says he is banning CNN, Politico from White HouseBBCMediaSep 18, 2026
- Networks halt TV pool coverage of Trump after CNN White House ban – liveThe GuardianMediaSep 21, 2026
- US TV networks suspend White House pool coverage — ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC decline to participate after presidential ban that prompted widespread condemnationtheguardian.comMediaSep 21, 2026
- Trump says he’s ‘banning’ CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White HouseCNNMediaSep 18, 2026
- 'Reporting fake news': Trump bars CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House; threatens more bansThe Times of IndiaMediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump bans news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White HouseAl JazeeraMediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump says CNN, MS NOW, Politico banned from White House, citing alleged fake newsxinhuaMediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump says CNN, MS NOW, Politico banned from White House, citing alleged fake newsxinhuaMediaSep 18, 2026
- Urgent: Trump says CNN, MSNOW, Politico banned from White House, citing alleged fake newsxinhuaMediaSep 18, 2026
- 特朗普禁止CNN等三家美国媒体进入白宫zaobaoMediaSep 19, 2026
- Trump bars CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House, citing 'fake news'cgtnMediaSep 19, 2026
- White House Correspondents' Association accuses Trump of targeting mediatassMediaSep 19, 2026
- Trump anuncia que baniu CNN, MS NOW e Politico da Casa BrancaG1MediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump proíbe acesso à Casa Branca de veículos de imprensa críticos ao governoFolha de S.PauloMediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump diz que vai proibir acesso a veículos de comunicação à Casa BrancaInfoMoneyMediaSep 18, 2026
- Trump bans CNN from the White House: Smerconish weighs inCNNMediaSep 19, 2026
- Inside the White House media banPoliticoMediaSep 19, 2026
- 特朗普说封就封，CNN记者到白宫只剩个证件套guanchaMediaSep 20, 2026
- 特朗普疑行“媒体禁令” 三家主要美媒进白宫遭拒引发违宪争议zaobaoMediaSep 20, 2026
- MS NOW, CNN and Politico staffers turned away from White HouseCBS NewsMediaSep 20, 2026
- Major TV Networks Stand With CNN, Decline to Replace White House Pool Crew as Network Sues Over Banthewrap.comMediaSep 21, 2026
- Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crewCNNMediaSep 21, 2026
- White House launches 'TRUMP TV' stream following controversial ban of major news outletsYahooMediaSep 22, 2026
- White House launches Trump TV following press bansThe HillMediaSep 22, 2026