Trump Bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico From White House

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three news organisations of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news” about his administration.

Trump announced the move in a post on Truth Social, saying the three outlets would be barred from the White House “effective immediately”. He accused the media organisations of reporting what he described as “fiction and lies” about the president, his administration and the United States. Trump also warned that other media outlets could face similar restrictions.

Trump did not identify any specific reports that prompted the decision. Later, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said the action was based on cumulative coverage over the past two years. He did not provide details on how the ban would be implemented.

There were also reports that journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico remained on the White House grounds after Trump's announcement, with no immediate indication that they had been physically removed or that the restrictions had been implemented.

CNN described Trump's move as an “illegal assault” on press freedom and said its reporting was fair and accurate and protected by the US Constitution. Politico also said it would defend its First Amendment rights against attempts to restrict its access.

The announcement has drawn criticism from press freedom organisations and raised questions over the First Amendment implications of restricting media access to the White House based on their coverage.

The latest action follows Trump's previous clashes with news organisations over their coverage of his administration, including restrictions on Associated Press access and an earlier dispute with CNN over the press credentials of its White House correspondent Jim Acosta.