President Donald Trump came to Truth Social this Friday with a post stating he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The move represents a major escalation of the ongoing conflict with media outlets that have covered his political career.
“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 wrote. In the same post, he promised that “Other Fake News Media Outlets [would] follow.”
CNN reported that its reporters remained in the White House that Friday afternoon, and another team would be traveling with Vice President JD Vance for pool coverage.
CNN said in a statement:
“CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting. We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right.”
Politico also issued a statement:
“POLITICO will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones. We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.”
Trump has also banned the Associated Press from presidential events, prompting ongoing litigation. During his first term, the White House targeted CNN’s Jim Acosta as well. His press pass was ultimately restored in November 2018.
According to CNN, Trump offered only a brief explanation for the ban when reporters asked about the announcement.
“No reason,” he said, according to the network. “It’s a very simple ban. I don’t want them in my office. I don’t want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can.”
The president hinted that the ban might be lifted if the outlets “could straighten themselves out.”
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