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President Donald Trump said he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House "effective immediately", prompting the possibility of lawsuits from the media outlets.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, September 18, Trump announced his unexpected move as he dubbed the outlets "fake news", citing "their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS" as the reason behind the ban.
What did President Trump say about the ban?
"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. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow," he added in the post.
Trump doubles down on his media ban
During an event on healthcare in the Oval Office shortly after the post, the president was asked how he justifies that move, given his oath to uphold the Constitution.
"Because they're fake news," he responded. "I get so tired of reading and seeing fake news."
Trump did not clarify how exactly the ban will be applied but noted that the mentioned outlets would not be allowed in his office.
CNN reacts to President Trump's post
Following the ban, CNN slammed the move as "illegal assault" on American press freedoms, with a statement reading, "CNN stands fully behind out White House tea and their fair and accurate reporting."
Reporters from both Politico and CNN were still on the White House grounds shortly after the announcement was made.
A crew from CNN was also travelling with Vice-President JD Vance to and from an event in Iowa.
Politico also released a statement, saying it "will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones.
"We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them."
The White House Correspondents Association President Jacqui Heinrich said they stand in "defence" of their colleagues who "are being singled out for doing their jobs".
"This is about more than the rights of journalists," Heinrich, who works for Fox News, also said. "It is about the right of the American people to receive a full and independent account of the activities, policies and decisions of whoever occupies the nation's highest office."
President Trump is not afraid of legal challenges
While talking to the reporters, Trump also acknowledged that legal challenges may follow his announcement, noting, "I think it's good to point it out, whether it survives or doesn't."
Trump and the media's bitter bond since his return to Oval Office
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump and administration officials have repeatedly clashed with members of the White House press corps.
In February, the White House announced that it was taking control of the press pool, which has access to Trump and had for more than a century been managed by the White House Correspondents Association.
The same month, the administration moved to bar Associated Press (AP) reporters and photographers from spaces where access is limited, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One, because of the outlet's usage of the term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America".
The Associated Press swiftly filed a lawsuit, and the case remains ongoing.
