US President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico will no longer be allowed access to the White House Correspondents, accusing the three news organisations of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news.”
Trump announced the move on Friday, September 18, in a post on Truth Social, saying the outlets had engaged in what he described as “fiction and lies” in their coverage of his administration. He also warned that other media organisations could face similar restrictions.
Trump said the decision was not triggered by a particular report or incident. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said it was based on the outlets’ coverage over several years.
“I don’t have to let them into my, into the people’s house,” Trump said.
When asked which other organisations could be affected, Trump mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post, which he also accused of being “fake news.”
The full scope of the ban was initially unclear, including whether it would affect journalists’ credentials, access to White House events or entry to the White House grounds.
However, MS NOW reported on Saturday that its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds.
The move has raised questions about the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the United States. Legal experts cited by Reuters said a broad exclusion of news organisations based on their coverage could face constitutional challenges.
CNN said it stood behind its White House journalists and its reporting. The network said any attempt to prevent its journalists from covering the administration would interfere with constitutionally protected press freedoms.
MS NOW also said it would take steps to protect its First Amendment rights, while Politico said it would continue reporting on the Trump administration and defend its rights.
The Trump administration has previously clashed with major news organisations over access to the White House. In 2025, the Associated Press was barred from the usual presidential press pool after the news agency declined to adopt Trump’s preferred name, “Gulf of America,” for the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump also faced legal disputes during his first term after his administration attempted to restrict the White House press access of journalists, including CNN’s Jim Acosta.
The latest restrictions represent another escalation in Trump’s long-running dispute with media organisations over their coverage of his presidency.
