Citing allegations of “fake news” and biased reporting, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate ban on journalists and credentials representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from accessing the White House press facilities.
President Trump disclosed the decision in a statement published on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday (September 18, 2026).
In his statement, Trump expressed sharp criticism of the news organizations, stating, “I am very proud to announce that these entities—suffering from severe drops in viewership and credibility, with MSNBC having recently rebranded as ‘MS NOW’—continue to disseminate fake and fabricated news. As a direct result of their ongoing false reporting, I am banning them from the White House immediately.”
Trump specifically targeted political journalism outlet Politico, alleging financial improprieties during the previous administration. Trump claimed that under President Joe Biden, Politico received approximately $8 million in government funding and subscription arrangements to keep the outlet afloat, characterizing the arrangement as “clear corruption.”
Addressing press standards, Trump emphasized that news outlets should not enjoy unchecked latitude to publish unsubstantiated narratives regarding the presidency or national affairs. “Media organizations should not have free reign to continuously write fiction, misleading stories, or false reports when covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the country as a whole,” he added.
