WASHINGTON: Trump bars CNN from White House along with MS NOW and Politico, in the latest escalation of the US president’s long-running dispute with major news organisations. President Donald Trump announced the move on Friday, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news.”
Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, saying the outlets would be barred from the White House. He also indicated that other media organisations could face similar restrictions.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said there was no single incident behind the decision and described it as the result of coverage over a period of years. When asked about other outlets that could potentially face restrictions, he mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post.
The precise scope and implementation of the announced restrictions were not immediately clear. Representatives of the three organisations were still working at the White House after Trump’s announcement.
Trump Bars CNN from White House Over Coverage
Trump said his decision was prompted by what he considers inaccurate coverage of his administration. He has frequently criticised news organisations and journalists whose reporting he says is unfair to him or his administration.
CNN rejected the move and said it stood behind its White House journalists and their reporting. The network said it had a constitutional right to report from the White House without government interference.
Politico also said it would continue reporting on the Trump administration and said it would defend its First Amendment rights. MS NOW did not immediately comment on the announcement.
First Amendment Questions Raised
The announcement has raised questions about the constitutional limits of presidential control over press access. Legal experts cited by news organisations said the legality of any restrictions could depend on how broadly the administration implements the ban.
The White House has considerable discretion over access to certain presidential events and limited press pools. However, broader restrictions on access to generally available White House facilities or press credentials could face legal challenges under the First Amendment.
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The dispute comes as Trump’s administration continues to reshape its relationship with the White House press corps. The president previously restricted Associated Press access after the news organisation declined to adopt the administration’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico.
Long-Running Tensions with the Media
Trump has maintained a contentious relationship with major news organisations throughout his political career. Since returning to the presidency in January 2025, he has continued to publicly criticise journalists and media outlets over their coverage of his administration.
The latest announcement represents another confrontation over the boundaries between presidential control of White House access and the media’s role in covering the executive branch.
Reuters reported that Trump later said he might extend the restrictions to additional media organisations, indicating that the dispute could develop further.
