Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico barred from White House
“US President Donald Trump said Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico were being barred from the White House, accusing the three news organisations of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news”. Tr…”
Trump announced the move in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying it was effective immediately and warning that other media outlets could also face restrictions. “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
He did not identify specific reports that prompted the decision or explain how the ban would be implemented, including whether reporters would lose their credentials or be excluded from White House briefings, events and press pools.
CNN reporters were still working from the White House on Friday, with no immediate indication that the administration had taken steps to enforce the announced restrictions. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump defended the move despite First Amendment protections for the press, saying he could prevent organisations he considered “fake news” from entering the White House.
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“There may be others to join them,” Trump said, suggesting additional media organisations could be targeted. CNN, MS NOW and Politico did not immediately respond to requests for comment,. The announcement is the latest in a series of clashes between Trump and major US news organisations during his second term.
Trump previously restricted access for Associated Press journalists after the news agency continued using the term “Gulf of Mexico” rather than “Gulf of America”, and the AP subsequently challenged the restrictions in court.
During Trump's first term, the White House revoked the press credentials of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after a contentious exchange with the president during a 2018 news conference. CNN sued, and a federal judge temporarily ordered the restoration of Acosta's access before the White House ultimately reinstated his credentials.
The latest announcement has also prompted criticism from press freedom advocates. Bruce D. Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said a ban based on unfavourable coverage would violate the First Amendment and amount to viewpoint discrimination.
The White House had not provided details on how or when the announced restrictions would take effect.
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