WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, intensifying his long-running dispute with news organisations over their coverage of his administration.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Friday, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news” and reporting what he called “fiction and lies.” He also suggested that additional media organisations could face similar restrictions.
The precise scope and implementation of the ban initially remained unclear. Reports on Friday indicated that journalists from the affected organisations were still working at the White House, although the administration subsequently began restricting access. On Saturday, an MS NOW reporter and photographer were reportedly denied entry to the White House grounds after their credentials were disabled.
CNN and Politico have said they intend to defend their constitutional rights. CNN said its White House team would continue its reporting, while Politico said it would continue covering the administration and would defend its First Amendment rights against attempts to restrict its access.
The announcement has also raised legal questions because the First Amendment protects freedom of the press. Legal experts and press organisations have argued that excluding news organisations because of disagreement with their coverage could face constitutional challenges. Previous disputes between the Trump administration and media organisations, including the Associated Press, have already reached the courts.
The Associated Press was previously restricted from certain presidential events after a dispute over the administration’s terminology for the Gulf of Mexico. A federal judge ruled in 2025 that the White House had to restore the AP’s access to presidential spaces, although an appeals court later paused parts of that ruling while the case continued.
Trump’s latest action therefore adds another chapter to the increasingly contentious relationship between the White House and major US news organisations. The legal and practical consequences of the restrictions are expected to depend on how broadly the administration implements the ban and whether the affected organisations pursue court action.