Major TV Networks Boycott White House After Trump Bans Key Outlets

Updated 18:38 21 Sep 2026 GMT+1Published 17:21 21 Sep 2026 GMT+1

The US president controversially banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House

Major US broadcasters have halted White House coverage after Donald Trump controversially banned several outlets from the presidential complex.

On Friday (18 September), Trump announced that journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW would not be allowed to access the White House moving forward, accusing the outlets of spreading 'fiction or lies'.

In an unprecedented response, broadcasters ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC have now released a joint statement saying they would cease filming 'pooled' coverage of the US administration (via The Hill).

"The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting," the statement read, adding: "Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President."

Advert

(Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Pooled coverage is where multiple major TV networks film rolling coverage at the White House in a rotating order, with the footage then shared across other networks.

The decision comes after CNN was barred from fulfilling its rotation earlier today. Following the joint suspension, TV coverage of Trump attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York will not be filmed by US broadcasters.

Taking to Truth Social on Friday, the US leader wrote: "I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW [formerly MSNBC] and Politico from the White House as a result of their constant "reporting" FAKE NEWS!

"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. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow."

The announcement was made on Truth Social (Truth Social)

The move was swiftly condemned by CNN, who branded the move an 'illegal assault' on press freedom in the US.

"We have a right under the US Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government," CNN said in a statement to the BBC. "Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."

All three outlets have since confirmed plans to legally challenge the Trump administration over the move.

"This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes," read the joint statement shared on social media.

"Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists' credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference."

Featured Image Credit: (Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Politics