Trump’s 9:30 p.m. Truth Social post said he was banning CNN, Politico and MSNBC from the White House because of ‘fiction and lies.’ The move follows a pattern of tightening media access that began in 2017 when he limited a CNN journalist to a single briefing room.
The ban takes effect immediately, cutting the three outlets off from all White House press briefings, the Oval Office, and Air Force One. Trump demanded that ‘media outlets should not be able to write or report fiction and lies when covering the President.’
CNN’s legal team has already begun drafting a lawsuit, while Politico’s editorial board has called the ban a ‘dangerous precedent for press freedom.’ MSNBC has issued a statement that it will seek an injunction to restore access.
Historically, presidents have rarely barred major networks. Nixon once restricted the Washington Post over Watergate coverage, and Trump last year barred the Associated Press from events after the agency refused to use ‘Gulf of America’ in a story.
John K., a 12‑year CNN correspondent stationed in Washington, told reporters he feels ‘a chilling effect’ as he watches colleagues’ desks empty. He says he will file a suit to protect journalists' constitutional rights.