Trump bars CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House over ‘fake news’

US President Donald Trump has announced a ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from covering the White House, accusing the news organisations of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news”.

Trump announced the decision on Friday in a post on Truth Social, saying it would take effect immediately.

He did not identify specific reports from the three outlets that prompted the decision but warned that other media organisations could also face similar restrictions.

“I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW… and Politico… from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote.

“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 later reiterated his criticism while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, saying the outlets had engaged in what he considered unfair coverage. He also named The New York Times and The Washington Post when asked which other organisations could be targeted.

The scope and enforcement of the announced ban were not immediately clear. Reports said journalists from the affected outlets remained on White House grounds after Trump’s announcement, while CNN continued reporting from the premises.

CNN rejected the move and said it stood behind its White House team and its reporting.

“CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” the network said, adding that it had a constitutional right to report “without hindrance or interference from the government.”

Politico also said it would continue covering the White House and defend its First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict its access.

The announcement is the latest development in Trump’s longstanding clashes with sections of the US media.

In 2025, the White House restricted access for Associated Press journalists after the news agency declined to adopt Trump’s preferred name, “Gulf of America”, for the body of water commonly known as the Gulf of Mexico.

The AP challenged the restrictions in court, arguing that the administration had retaliated against the organisation over its editorial decision. A federal judge subsequently ordered the administration to restore the news agency’s access, although the dispute has continued through the appeals process.

Trump’s latest announcement could also face legal challenges over press access and First Amendment protections. Legal and press-freedom groups have questioned whether the government can restrict access to White House facilities based on the content of a news organisation’s coverage.