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U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico were being banned from the White House, accusing the outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news.”
The organizations and press groups challenged the move as an attack on press freedom.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW ... and Politico ... from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump did not initially identify a specific report that prompted the decision and said “other Fake News Media Outlets” could follow.
Later in the Oval Office, Trump said the decision was based on what he described as a pattern of negative coverage over the past two years.
“I think that somebody has a right to keep them away if they’re going to write false stories all the time,” he told reporters.
Asked whether a specific story had triggered the move, Trump said it was “really just cumulative stories over the last two years.”
CNN called the proposed ban an “illegal assault” on U.S. press freedom, saying its reporting was “fair and accurate” and protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Politico said it would continue covering the White House and would “vigorously defend” its First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.
The outlet also rejected claims that it had received government subsidies, calling those allegations false.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents journalists covering the presidency, said it “stands in defense” of journalists being singled out for doing their jobs.
Despite Trump’s announcement, journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico remained on White House grounds Friday. CNN and MS NOW reporters could still be seen broadcasting from positions on the White House driveway.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed Trump’s decision and accused the outlets, without identifying specific reports, of having “endangered troops.”
Trump’s second administration has imposed tighter controls on media access, including taking greater control over which journalists are allowed into the press pool covering events in restricted spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One.
Last year, Trump barred The Associated Press from some events after the news agency continued using the name “Gulf of Mexico” rather than “Gulf of America.”
During his first term, Trump also barred a CNN reporter, while former President Richard Nixon imposed restrictions on The Washington Post during its reporting on the Watergate scandal.
Trump has repeatedly criticized media organizations over coverage he disputes, filed defamation lawsuits against news outlets and attacked journalists on Truth Social, including CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins.
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