CNN, Politico, other media outlets affected by Trump’s ‘immediate’ White House ban
WASHINGTON – CNN, Politico and other major U.S. media outlets are facing an uproar from the White House after President Donald Trump announced an immediate ban on those news outlets for spreading “fake news” and warned that more outlets could follow.
Trump made the announcement on his social media, saying the ban was effective immediately and warned that more media outlets could be targeted. “Other fake news media outlets should follow suit,” Trump accused news outlets of reporting what he described as “myths and lies” about the president, his administration and the United States.
The announcement immediately raised questions about how the ban would actually be enforced.
Speaking later in the Oval Office, Trump was pressed by reporters to explain why CNN, MS NOW and Politico had been spun off. His answer was straightforward, calling them fake news. Trump did not identify a specific report that triggered the decision. Instead, he described the move as the result of what he characterized as cumulative coverage over several years.
He said he did not want targeted organizations in his office or the White House and hinted that sanctions could be extended as far as possible.
Trump also suggested that the sanctions could potentially be lifted if the organizations changed their approach to covering his administration.
The announcement has put the Trump administration on a collision course with major press freedom organizations and targeted newsrooms. CNN said it stood behind White House reporters and argued that journalists have a constitutional right to report without government interference.
Politico also said it will continue to report on the Trump administration and future administrations while defending its First Amendment rights.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also defended the targeted organizations, saying constitutional press protections do not depend on whether the president approves newsroom reporting or questions.
Press freedom groups warned that broad exclusions based on reporting content could face a serious constitutional challenge.
CNN reporters continued to work from the White House grounds after Trump’s announcement, while reports said there were initially no clear signs that officials had physically removed the targeted organizations. The exact scope of the proposed ban was also not clear.
Trump did not refrain from the three organizations named in his announcement. He warned that additional “fake news” outlets could be targeted and specifically mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post. However, he did not formally announce the ban on any newspaper.
Trump also said the White House may stop displaying print copies of the two newspapers, while indicating they have not yet been removed from the premises.
The latest confrontation is part of a long-running dispute between Trump and the news media. During his first presidency, the White House attempted to revoke the credentials of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after a heated exchange between Acosta and Trump at a November 2018 press conference.
Trump’s latest announcement now sets the stage for another potential legal clash over limits on presidential authority and access to the press.
The central issue is not just whether the president can decide which journalists enter certain restricted programs. The legal questions become more complicated when access to generally available White House press facilities or credentials is restricted by an outlet’s reporting.
The United Arab Emirates has banned the use of its airspace for US military action against Iran.
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