WASHINGTON: US media outlets CNN and MS NOW said they were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump announced a ban against them for reporting what he calls “fake news”.
The news outlets both denounced the move as a violation of the US constitution and vowed to keep reporting on the US government. Both are expected to take the bans to court to regain access to the presidential mansion.
“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded with our tax dollars,” MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, said on X.
In a statement, CNN said: “We have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right.”
Trump faces criticism over move seen as attack on press freedom
Politico also issued a statement, saying it would “continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones” and “will vigorously defend our first amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them”.
Reached for comment, the White House referred AFP to President Donald Trump’s comments announcing the bans.
The 80-year-old Republican, who has long had a fiery relationship with the mainstream media, warned that other outlets could face a similar fate but did not say which ones.
Both of Trump’s White House terms have seen him lash out repeatedly at media whose coverage displeases him.
He has filed multiple defamation suits against news outlets, attacked the press on Truth Social and verbally assaulted several reporters, notably women, including CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins.
His administration has also put stricter controls on journalists in Trump’s second term, including taking control of which outlets can cover events as part of the “pool” admitted to the Oval Office and Air Force One.
Trump’s surprise announcement on Friday comes at a time when his approval ratings are at record lows and his Republican Party risks losing control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
The war in Iran and rising prices, particularly at the gas pump, are among the factors that have contributed to his sinking political fortunes.
‘Attack on press freedom’
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents the White House press corps, condemned the move.
“The constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference,” it said on social media, The Guardian reported.
Press freedom group PEN America said: “Someone needs to explain to President Trump how the first amendment works. As we’ve seen time and time again, this administration’s hostility toward the press is never about the accuracy of news stories, but about its inability to withstand scrutiny of its actions.”
Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026
