Trump bans CNN, MSNOW and Politico from White House over fake news

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) announced an immediate ban on CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three media organisations of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news” about his administration.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them “alive.” Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant “reporting” FAKE NEWS!”

The announcement comes amid continuing tensions between the Trump administration and several major news organisations over access to presidential events and coverage of the White House. Trump also alleged that Politico received a USD 8 million government subscription under former President Joe Biden and described the payment as “corruption.” The president did not elaborate on the allegation in his post, but the claim was repeated by multiple outlets, including the Associated Press, which had previously faced restrictions for using the term “Gulf of Mexico” instead of the administration’s preferred “Gulf of America.”

Trump’s ban follows a pattern of using social media to announce policy shifts and retaliate against media outlets. In February 2025, the White House barred AP journalists from Oval Office events and Air Force One after the news agency continued using the term “Gulf of Mexico.” Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich described the continued use of the term as “divisive” and “misinformation.” AP reporters retained their White House credentials, while photographers were initially allowed access to some events. The AP subsequently challenged the restrictions in court, arguing that its exclusion from press-pool events violated its constitutional rights. A federal district court issued a preliminary injunction in April 2025, while subsequent appellate proceedings addressed the administration’s authority over access to restricted presidential spaces.

The ban raises immediate questions about its legal boundaries. Legal experts suggest that broad exclusions of news organisations based on their coverage could face constitutional challenges under the First Amendment. Jameel Jaffer of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University argued that the First Amendment prohibits the president from punishing journalists for criticising his administration. He noted that if Trump intends to remove the organisations from the White House press pool, such an action would be unconstitutional, as the press pool is a “public forum.” Seth Stern of the Freedom of the Press Foundation echoed these concerns, stating that banning news organisations from the White House for criticising the government would violate constitutional protections.

CNN and Politico have both indicated they will defend their First Amendment rights, with CNN calling the potential ban an “illegal assault” on press freedom. The financial markets reacted to the news, particularly for Versant Media, the parent company of MSNOW. Shares fell nearly 5% on September 18, 2026, according to in.investing.com, amid concerns over the outlet’s access to White House coverage. The stock drop underscores the potential economic consequences of political disputes involving media conglomerates.

Representatives of all three outlets were still seen working inside the White House on Friday afternoon following Trump’s announcement. CNN, MSNOW and Politico did not immediately respond to requests for comment, though they have indicated they will address the issue in the coming days. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ban, according to CNBC. Meanwhile, the targeted outlets have not issued public statements, though they are expected to address the issue in the coming days.

The president’s warning extends beyond the three named outlets, raising fresh questions about press access, political retaliation and White House control. Trump accused MSNOW of a “loss of audience and viewers’ trust” following its name change from MSNBC and alleged that Politico received an “illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription” from the U.S. government under former President Joe Biden, calling it “corruption.”

The decision was widely reported across global outlets, with headlines emphasizing Trump’s rhetoric against “fake news.” The Post Millennial highlighted the ban as part of a broader trend of “cancel culture” targeting media outlets, while Hindustan Times noted the lack of specific examples provided by Trump to justify the restrictions. The announcement came as in-person voting for this year’s midterm elections was underway in Virginia, marking the start of the final six weeks for Americans to decide on congressional leadership amid a cost-of-living crisis and ongoing conflicts. Voters in Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota were also casting absentee ballots in person.

Trump’s history of restricting media access includes a 2025 dispute with the Associated Press, which led to a protracted legal battle. The current ban could further strain relations between the administration and outlets that have consistently covered his policies. The Post Millennial noted that Trump’s move “will likely result in more legal challenges,” echoing concerns from press freedom groups. The next critical development will likely involve legal responses from the banned outlets and broader implications for press access under the Trump administration. As Trump warned, “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow,” the situation remains fluid and subject to rapid updates.