President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is barring three major media outlets—CNN, MS NOW, and Politico—from accessing the White House, a move aimed at intensifying his pressure on independent journalism.
Trump stated that the restriction is due to these organizations’ consistent publication of “fake news,” a decision that may face legal challenges for potentially violating First Amendment guarantees of free speech and press freedom.
“Effective immediately, I am banning access to the White House for Fake News CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, as they constantly deliver fake news,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he will also disclose the names of additional publications soon, according to Reuters.
He further expressed, “Media institutions should not be able to consistently write or report fictional stories and lies when covering the President of the United States, the Trump administration, or the United States of America.”
Trump did not specify any particular news items that prompted this social media declaration.
He remarked to journalists in the Oval Office, “I believe someone has the right to keep them at bay if they are constantly writing false stories.”
Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly urged television networks to cancel news or entertainment shows that he disapproves of or where he or his administration are ridiculed or criticized. He has also asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke licenses from certain networks after criticizing their news coverage and other programming.
Last year, he excluded the Associated Press from the group of journalists covering his travels because the news agency did not adopt his preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. Trump instructed federal employees to refer to it as the “Gulf of America.”
Additionally, the Pentagon attempted to introduce a new press policy that would limit journalists’ ability to obtain and report sensitive information. This initiative was abandoned after several media organizations refused to sign the commitment. Later, a federal judge ruled the new policy unconstitutional.
Trump has also initiated significant legal battles with major media outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC News, and BBC.
Reaction from CNN: “An Illegal Assault on a Fundamental Right”
CNN stated that while President Trump claimed the decision would take effect immediately, there were no indications that his administration was taking steps to implement it.
At the time of writing, CNN reporters remained at their posts within the White House, near the briefing room.
“CNN fully supports our White House team and their accurate reporting. Under the U.S. Constitution, we have the right to conduct these reports without obstruction or interference from the government,” the network declared in a statement.
They added, “If the ban President Trump threatens is enforced, it would represent an illegal assault on this fundamental right protected by the Constitution.”
