Trump announces White House access ban for Politico, CNN and MS NOW

On 18 September 2026, President Donald Trump announced that Politico, CNN and MS NOW would be barred from White House access, escalating his administration's conflict with news organizations it accused of unfair coverage. The three outlets challenged the action in federal court, arguing that the government had retaliated against them for protected journalism and violated First and Fifth Amendment protections. Their lawsuit focused on credentialed access to White House facilities rather than a general right to attend every presidential event.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly later issued temporary relief restoring the outlets' badges for White House grounds while the case proceeded. The ruling did not guarantee seats on Air Force One or every pool assignment, a limitation that became central when Politico was excluded from the president's 5 October trip. Trump personally announced the ban. Later court orders and access decisions came from separate institutional actors.