Donald Trump bans CNN and Politico from the White House
US President Donald Trump immediately bans CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House over reporting, prompting legal threats from media outlets.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Donald Trump immediately banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House.
- Trump accused the outlets of reporting fiction, though provided no examples.
- CNN and Politico vowed to vigorously defend their press freedom rights.
- The move marks the latest escalation in Trump's fraught relationship with the media.
US President Donald Trump has escalated his ongoing feud with the press by announcing an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), and Politico from the White House grounds. In a post shared on Truth Social on Friday, Trump claimed that these media organisations consistently publish fiction and lies regarding his administration, though he failed to provide any specific examples to support his claims.
Trump later described the decision as a very simple ban, leaving the exact enforcement mechanisms ambiguous. It remains unclear whether employees representing these outlets will be completely barred from entering the White House premises. Reporters from both Politico and CNN were still spotted on White House grounds shortly after the announcement was made public, while a CNN crew was concurrently traveling with Vice-President JD Vance to an event in Iowa.
Major news networks swiftly pushed back against the administration's decision. CNN released a statement labeling the potential ban an illegal assault on American press freedoms, emphasizing its full support for its White House reporting team. Meanwhile, Politico issued a statement declaring that it will continue to cover the administration fairly while fiercely protecting its constitutional rights against any restrictions.
"We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them."
Politico
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This development echoes previous tensions from Trump's first term, during which CNN correspondent Jim Acosta was temporarily banned from the White House until a lawsuit forced the administration to restore his credentials. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump's administration has actively sought to reshape the White House press corps by integrating conservative influencers and attempting to seize control of the historic presidential press pool, a move that has already sparked ongoing litigation from the Associated Press.
When questioned further in the Oval Office regarding the timing of the announcement, Trump stated there was no particular reason behind the Friday afternoon release. He also hinted that additional media outlets might eventually join the banned list, though he refrained from naming any specific organizations.
Source: BBC World
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