US President Donald Trump has announced plans to immediately bar CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, escalating his long-running dispute with several major American news organisations.
Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, accusing the outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fiction and lies” about his administration.
He did not identify specific reports that led to the decision.
Trump Says More Media Outlets Could Follow
Trump later described the move as a “very simple ban” but did not explain how it would be implemented.
It also remained unclear whether reporters and other employees of the affected organisations would be prevented from entering the White House grounds.
When asked about other possible outlets, Trump named The New York Times and The Washington Post, both of which he has previously criticised as “fake news”.
He later said additional media organisations could be included, although he did not identify them.
Trump said the decision was based on what he described as a cumulative pattern of reporting over several years.
“You get sick of it,” he said when questioned about the announcement in the Oval Office.
CNN Threatens Legal Challenge
CNN strongly rejected the proposed ban, describing it as an “illegal assault” on press freedoms.
The network said it stood behind its White House reporters and their reporting.
CNN also argued that the US Constitution protects journalists from government interference while carrying out their work.
The network indicated that it would challenge the move if Trump proceeded with the ban.
Politico also said it would continue reporting on the Trump administration and future administrations.
The organisation said it would defend its First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict its reporting.
MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, declined to comment.
Reporters Remain at White House
Despite Trump’s announcement, reporters from CNN and Politico remained on the White House grounds shortly afterwards.
A CNN crew was also travelling with Vice-President JD Vance to and from an event in Iowa.
The developments have raised questions about whether Trump’s announcement represents an immediate restriction or whether further administrative steps are required before the outlets can actually be barred.
White House Media Tensions
The announcement adds to tensions between Trump and the White House press corps since he returned to office in January 2025.
His administration has expanded access to conservative bloggers, influencers and other media organisations, arguing that the White House press room should offer a wider range of perspectives.
In February, the White House also announced that it would take control of the press pool that has traditionally been managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
The association’s president, Jacqui Heinrich, said the organisation stood in defence of journalists being singled out for doing their jobs.
She said the issue also concerns the public’s ability to receive independent accounts of presidential activities, policies and decisions.
Trump acknowledged that his proposed action could face legal challenges.
He said he believed it was important to raise the issue regardless of whether the move ultimately survives legal scrutiny.
