Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three organisations of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news”.
The US president made the declaration in a post on Truth Social on Friday, September 18, and warned that other media outlets could also be targeted.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW … and Politico … from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Mr Trump wrote.
He added that news organisations should not be allowed to “constantly write or report FICTION and LIES” when covering the president, his administration or the United States.
The post did not explain how the restrictions would be enforced. CNN and MS NOW journalists were still reporting from the White House on Friday, while the precise scope of the proposed ban remained unclear.
CNN condemns White House ban
CNN said it stood behind its White House reporting and warned that any attempt to prevent its journalists from working would breach constitutional protections.
“CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” the network said. “We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government.”
It added that implementing the ban would be “an illegal assault” on that right.
The White House did not immediately provide further details about the decision. Politico and MS NOW had not issued an immediate public response.
The move is the latest confrontation between Mr Trump’s administration and news organisations whose coverage he has criticised. The president previously restricted Associated Press journalists from White House events after the agency declined to adopt the administration’s preferred term “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico.
A federal judge ruled in April 2025 that the White House must restore the Associated Press’s access to presidential spaces, although the wider legal dispute over the agency’s access remains ongoing.
