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| US President Donald Trump |
US President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are being banned from the White House, accusing the three media organisations of repeatedly publishing what he described as false reports about his administration.
Trump made the announcement on Friday, September 18, 2026, in a post on his Truth Social platform. Reuters and the Associated Press confirmed the announcement.
Trump said the restriction would take effect immediately and accused CNN, MS NOW and Politico of reporting “fake news.” He also indicated that additional media organisations could face similar restrictions.
“Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” Trump wrote in his post.
The president also criticised Politico over what he described as an $8 million government subscription during the administration of former President Joe Biden. Trump characterised the payment as “illegal” and alleged that it amounted to corruption, although he did not provide supporting details in the post.
Trump further criticised MS NOW, which was formerly known as MSNBC, while accusing the network of lacking viewership and credibility. These characterisations were made by Trump and were not independently established in the reports confirming his announcement.
The precise scope of the announced ban was not immediately clear. It was not initially specified whether the affected organisations would lose White House press credentials, access to briefings, presidential events or other forms of access.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico, as well as the National Press Club, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
The announcement adds to ongoing tensions between Trump and major US news organisations. His administration previously restricted Associated Press journalists from certain presidential events after the news agency declined to adopt the administration’s preferred terminology for the Gulf of Mexico. The AP subsequently challenged that restriction in court.
Trump has also previously criticised other media organisations and broadcasters over coverage of his administration, including calling for action against programmes and outlets whose reporting or commentary he objected to.
The latest announcement has raised questions about press access to the White House and the constitutional protections surrounding the media’s ability to cover the US president and administration. Reuters reported that the move is expected to face legal scrutiny.
Trump ended his post by warning that more media organisations could be targeted, indicating that the dispute between his administration and parts of the US news media could continue to develop.
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