Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House

Overview

Updated 3 hours ago

President Trump announced Friday that he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, effective immediately, because of what he called their constant reporting of 'FICTION and LIES.' He posted the announcement on Truth Social and said more outlets would follow.

The White House had not moved to enforce the ban by Friday afternoon. CNN reporters stayed at their desks near the briefing room, and a crew traveled with Vice President JD Vance as the assigned television pool. The announcement marks the next stage of a fight over press access that began in 2025, when the administration barred the Associated Press from some presidential spaces over the 'Gulf of America' naming dispute. The AP is suing, and that case remains open.

Why it matters

If the White House can bar news outlets for coverage it dislikes, independent coverage of the presidency loses its place inside the building.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

Media outlets named in the ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico, announced Sept. 18, 2026

Ongoing federal lawsuit over press access

AP is suing the White House after being barred from some presidential spaces in 2025

Enforcement steps reported on announcement day

CNN reporters remained in their White House workspace; a crew traveled with the vice president's pool

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

Donald Trump

President of the United States

Announced bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico; threatened more

Organizations Involved

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)

Broadcast news network

Named in the ban; holds seats in the traditional five-network presidential pool

CNN is one of three outlets Trump says he is banning from the White House.

Politico

Political news organization

Named in the ban

Politico is a Washington-based news organization covering politics and policy.

MS NOW

Cable news network

Named in the ban

MS NOW is a cable news network named by Trump in the ban announcement alongside CNN and Politico.

Associated Press

News wire service

Plaintiff in an ongoing First Amendment lawsuit against the White House

The AP is the legal test case for this fight over press access.

White House Correspondents' Association

Press organization

Represents White House reporters; no public statement on Friday's announcement as of press time

The WHCA represents reporters who cover the president and negotiates access with the administration.

Timeline

November 2018 September 2026

5 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico
Today Statement

President announced the bans on Truth Social, citing 'FICTION and LIES' in coverage, and threatened 'Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.' No enforcement steps were visible by Friday afternoon.
Today
April 2025
Federal judge orders AP access restored
Legal

Judge ruled the White House must restore AP access to presidential spaces. An appeals court later allowed a temporary ban from smaller restricted spaces while the case proceeds.
April 1st, 2025
February 2025
White House bars AP from presidential events
Restriction

Administration kept AP journalists out of the Oval Office, Air Force One and other small events after the wire service refused to adopt 'Gulf of America.'
February 1st, 2025
November 2018
Federal judge orders Acosta's pass restored
Legal

Judge Timothy Kelly ordered temporary reinstatement of Acosta's credentials. The White House backed down days later.
November 16th, 2018
White House suspends CNN's Jim Acosta press pass
Legal

Administration revoked CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass after a testy press conference exchange. CNN sued.
November 7th, 2018

Scenarios

Courts set the limits of White House press bans

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher and CBS News coverage, both noting legal challenges are expected; CNN previously won the 2018 Acosta case

If the White House enforces the ban, CNN, MS NOW or Politico would likely sue, pushing the question of whether the government can eject reporters over coverage. The AP case is already before the courts, and a 2018 ruling forced the White House to restore CNN reporter Jim Acosta's pass. A federal decision would set the boundary for how far press access restrictions can go.

Ban stays rhetorical as outlets keep working

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: CNN's own report Friday that no enforcement steps were taken and reporters remained in place

The White House posted the announcement but never formally revokes credentials or blocks reporters from events. The outlets continue covering the White House, and the ban remains a stated threat without operational effect. This mirrors earlier press clashes that cooled without action.

Trump expands the ban to more outlets

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Trump's Truth Social post threatening 'Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow'; covered by the Washington Examiner and others

Trump follows through on his threat and names additional outlets for exclusion. This widens the confrontation as more organizations challenge the bans, potentially drawing in coordinated legal action and the White House Correspondents' Association.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 2018

CNN v. Trump — Jim Acosta's press pass (2018)

After a testy exchange at a press conference, the White House revoked CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta's hard pass. CNN sued, arguing the move violated the First Amendment and due process. Judge Timothy Kelly of the federal district court for the District of Columbia ordered the pass temporarily restored.

Then

Acosta's credentials were restored, and the White House and CNN settled later that year.

Now

The case reinforced that the White House cannot revoke press credentials without a legitimate, content-neutral reason and due process.

Why this matters now

CNN is now named in the kind of ban it successfully challenged in 2018 — this time aimed at three outlets at once.

February 2025 to present

Associated Press access restriction (2025)

The Trump administration barred AP journalists from the Oval Office, Air Force One and other events too small for the full press corps, after the wire service refused to adopt the name 'Gulf of America' for the Gulf of Mexico. The AP sued on First Amendment grounds.

Then

A federal judge in April 2025 ruled the AP must be restored to presidential spaces. An appeals court later allowed the temporary ban from smaller restricted spaces while the case proceeds.

Now

The AP case is ongoing and is the legal template for the bans announced Friday.

Why this matters now

Trump's announcement for CNN, MS NOW and Politico cites coverage complaints, echoing the AP dispute. The White House now faces multiple outlets pursuing or threatening litigation.