Five major broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC – have suspended their White House pool coverage after the Trump administration barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House on grounds of “fake news” and “negative reporting”.
The ban came after the administration removed the news outlets from the White House, prompting CNN, MS Now and Politico to file a lawsuit claiming the move violates First Amendment rights and the principle that the government cannot decide what the press reports.
The White House Correspondents Association said on September 19 that revoking access for journalists from the three outlets violated the First Amendment and urged the administration to restore access immediately. Reporters Betsy Klein, Akayla Gardner and Cheyenne Haslett later described having their badges taken when they arrived at the White House.
Trump has a history of confrontations with the press, including court cases with CBS, the BBC and the Associated Press over coverage and terminology. Critics have compared the ban to past administrations, noting that previous presidents have limited press access but not imposed outright bans.
In response to the ban, the White House promoted its official app on X, offering live streams and Trump’s posts. The move drew criticism online, with users labeling it a form of state propaganda and questioning its legitimacy. The app has been in use for years but received mixed reactions from the public.
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