US President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be barred from the White House, accusing the three media organisations of repeatedly publishing what he described as false reports about his administration.
Trump made the announcement on Friday through a post on his social media platform, saying the ban would take effect immediately. He also warned that other media organisations could face similar restrictions.
The president later defended the decision while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, saying his action was based on what he described as the cumulative coverage of the three outlets over several years.
However, Trump did not provide details on how the ban would be implemented or whether it would affect White House press credentials, access to specific events or entry to the White House grounds.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico remained at the White House after Trump’s announcement, suggesting that the practical scope of the restriction had not immediately been established.
CNN rejected the move and said it stood behind its White House reporting team. The network argued that its journalists have a constitutional right to cover the government without interference.
Politico also said it would continue reporting on the Trump administration and would defend its First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict its access.
The White House Correspondents’ Association expressed support for the affected journalists, while press freedom organisations raised concerns about the implications of excluding media organisations because of their coverage.
The dispute could ultimately become a legal issue. US courts have previously considered whether presidents can restrict access to White House press facilities based on the content of journalists’ reporting. A 1977 federal appeals court ruling held that once the government establishes press facilities for credentialed journalists, access cannot simply be denied because of the content of their coverage.
Trump’s latest action follows a series of disputes between his administration and major US news organisations. He has previously criticised several outlets and taken steps to restrict access by journalists whose reporting he has opposed.
The president also suggested that other major outlets could be targeted. When asked about additional media organisations, he specifically mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post.
The extent of the latest restrictions and whether they will be legally challenged are expected to become clearer as the White House provides further guidance.
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