President Donald Trump has announced a ban on MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from the White House, accusing them of spreading “FICTION and LIES” in their coverage. This move escalates his ongoing conflict with the media and follows previous attempts to restrict journalist access.
The decision has drawn swift condemnation from the affected outlets and legal experts, who cite potential violations of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press.
In a dramatic escalation of his long-standing feud with the press, President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is banning MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from White House access. The move, communicated via a Truth Social post, cited the outlets' "FICTION and LIES" in their coverage of his administration and the United States. Trump ominously added that "Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow."
Later the same day in the Oval Office, Trump explained his decision was a response to "cumulative stories" from the three news organizations. "You get sick of it," he stated, reinforcing his rationale for the ban.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration has attempted to restrict press access. A previous effort in 2018 briefly saw a CNN reporter's press pass suspended, and the White House is currently embroiled in a lawsuit over an attempted ban of Associated Press journalists from specific areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One.
Despite potential legal challenges, Trump affirmed the value of his actions, even if they don't withstand judicial scrutiny. "I think it's good to point it out whether it survives or doesn't," he remarked, underscoring his willingness to confront what he perceives as hostile media.
Trump's open hostility towards critical reporting has long been a hallmark of his public persona, often inciting his rally supporters against journalists and frequently using social media to personally attack reporters. However, barring White House access to disfavored outlets marks a significant escalation, potentially drawing immediate legal challenges based on First Amendment violations protecting freedom of the press.
- President Donald Trump announced a ban on MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from the White House due to their coverage.
- This action is a significant escalation in his conflict with the media and could face legal challenges under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.
- Trump's administration previously attempted to restrict access for CNN and Associated Press journalists.
CNN swiftly issued a statement condemning the potential ban, asserting, "We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government." The network warned that if implemented, the ban "would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."
Politico, in a statement on X, vowed to "continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones," pledging to "vigorously defend our First Amendment rights." Politico also refuted claims of receiving government subsidies as "false and have been thoroughly debunked." MS NOW declined to comment immediately.
Legal experts, including Arthur Spitzer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), echoed concerns about the constitutionality of Trump's directive. Spitzer told CNBC, "He's plainly discriminating against them because they don't like the way they report the news, and the government isn't supposed to do that." The ACLU is currently representing AP in a separate case concerning access restrictions.
That ongoing case stems from Trump's attempt to bar AP from certain spaces after the wire service referred to the "Gulf of Mexico" by its traditional name, rather than "Gulf of America," as Trump preferred. While a federal judge initially ruled against Trump in April 2025, an appeals court prevented the ruling from taking effect pending further review, though it did note that "hard passes to larger spaces, such as the East Room," could not be denied "arbitrarily or based on the content of a journalist's speech."
The Department of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, expressed full support for Trump's decision on X, claiming these outlets had "endangered our troops" and "trafficked in fiction and lies." Hegseth stated the Pentagon was "grateful these outlets already chose to self-deport from the Pentagon," referencing prior press restrictions.
Jacqui Heinrich, President of the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) and a senior White House correspondent for Fox News, stated that the targeted reporters "are being singled out for doing their jobs." Heinrich emphasized the broader implications: "This is about more than the rights of journalists. It is about the right of the American people to receive a full and independent account of the activities, policies and decisions of whoever occupies the nation's highest office."
Former WHCA president Weija Jiang also responded to Trump's post by quoting the First Amendment in full, a powerful reminder of the constitutional bedrock underlying press freedom in the United States.
Disclosure: CNBC and MS NOW are divisions of Versant Media.
