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Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico are barred from White House access, escalating tensions between his administration and news organizations.
President Donald Trump said Friday he was barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over their coverage. The announcement intensified tensions between the administration and news organizations over presidential access and press freedoms.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico were being barred from the White House, accusing the three news organizations of publishing what he described as false and unfavorable reports about his administration. Trump announced the move in a social media post and later said the decision was based on what he characterized as years of cumulative coverage.
Trump did not provide details on how the restrictions would be implemented or whether journalists’ credentials would be revoked. Reporters from the three organizations were still present at the White House on Friday afternoon, according to The Associated Press and other reports, indicating that the immediate practical effect of the announcement was unclear. Trump also suggested that additional news organizations could face similar restrictions and identified The New York Times and The Washington Post when asked which outlets might be next.
CNN said it stood behind its White House journalists and maintained that the organization has a constitutional right to report on the administration without government interference. Politico also said it would continue covering the White House and would defend its First Amendment rights. MS NOW did not immediately issue a public response, according to AP.
The announcement adds to a broader dispute between Trump and news organizations during his second term. In 2025, the White House restricted Associated Press access to presidential events after the news agency declined to adopt the administration’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. The AP challenged the restrictions in court, and a federal judge ordered the White House to restore access to presidential spaces, although litigation over some aspects of the dispute has continued.
The First Amendment protects freedom of the press in the United States, but the legal questions surrounding presidential control of White House access can depend on the type of event, press facility or credential involved. Reuters reported that courts have recognized presidential discretion over access to limited events and press pools while broader exclusions from generally available press facilities can raise constitutional and due-process issues.
Trump’s latest action comes as his administration continues to have contentious relationships with several major news organizations. Previous disputes have included lawsuits and fights over press credentials and access, while media organizations have argued that government restrictions based on unfavorable coverage can interfere with the press’s ability to report on public officials and government decisions.
Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and The Washington Post.