President Trump announces ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico from White House

Announcement of the ban

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform on 18 September 2026 to state that CNN, MS Now and Politico would be expelled from the White House “effective immediately” because of what he described as constant fake news reporting. He indicated that additional outlets could face similar restrictions.

President’s justification

During a press event promoting healthcare policies, Trump said he does not receive fair coverage from most media, mentioning Breitbart and Fox as more favorable. He argued that outlets repeatedly publishing false stories should be kept away, though he appeared uncertain when asked how the ban would be implemented.

Reactions from media and legal experts

CNN’s spokesperson warned that any ban would infringe constitutional rights. Politico and the White House Correspondents’ Association also said they would defend First Amendment protections. Democratic Senator Chris Coons and free-speech advocates described the action as authoritarian and potentially unconstitutional, citing legal precedent that the press pool is a public forum.

Unverified aspects

The president claimed the decision was unrelated to specific investigative reports by the three outlets, but the source does not provide independent confirmation of the ban’s legal enforceability or the exact mechanisms by which it will be applied.