Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Trump Ban Denies CNN, MS NOW, Politico White House Access
President Donald Trump said three news organizations had published “fake news” about him.
He ordered CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters to be kept out of the White House.
On Saturday, reporters tried to enter but their badges did not work or were taken away.
The reporters said they were sent to the White House press office for answers.
The news organizations said the ban interferes with their constitutional right to report.
A journalists’ association also said the government should not punish reporters for their coverage.
The groups may ask a court to restore their access.
The dispute is part of a larger fight between Trump and news organizations whose reporting he dislikes.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied White House access Saturday.
Their access badges were deactivated, confiscated or rendered unusable at security checkpoints.
President Donald Trump said the outlets were barred over reporting he called “fake news.”
The outlets, the White House Correspondents’ Association and media advocates called the action a press-freedom violation.
The three organizations indicated they may pursue legal action to restore access.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, CNN, MS NOW, Politico and their White House reporters, with the White House Correspondents’ Association supporting the journalists.
- What
- The White House denied access to reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico and deactivated or confiscated their press badges.
- When
- Saturday, September 20, 2026, following Trump’s announcement on Friday.
- Where
- The White House in Washington, United States.
- Why
- Trump said the outlets’ reporting was “fake news” and described some reports as fiction and lies; the outlets said the ban violates press freedom.
News organizations and press advocates
Trump and the White House
Constitutionality of the ban
News organizations and press advocates
CNN, MS NOW and Politico said the restrictions violate the First Amendment and interfere with their right to report on government.
Trump and the White House
Trump said the outlets should be barred because he considers their coverage fake news, fiction and lies.
Access to the White House
News organizations and press advocates
The White House Correspondents’ Association said access cannot be denied arbitrarily or because of the content of reporting once access has been provided.
Trump and the White House
Trump’s action denied the three outlets access, and the White House referred questions back to his Friday announcement.
Broader press implications
News organizations and press advocates
Press advocates warned that excluding one outlet because of its coverage could allow similar action against any news organization.
Trump and the White House
Trump said other outlets might also face bans but did not identify them.
- Affected outlets
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- Reporters denied entry
- Betsy Klein, Akayla Gardner and Cheyenne Haslett
- Presidential justification
- Trump said the outlets engaged in constant “fake news” reporting.
- Badge actions
- Badges were reported as deactivated, confiscated or unusable at security checkpoints.
- Press association response
- The White House Correspondents’ Association called for immediate restoration of access.
- Potential response
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico indicated they may take legal action.
- Relevant precedent
- A court previously overturned Trump’s first-term ban on CNN reporter Jim Acosta.
