Donald J. Trump apparently woke up and decided that the best way to deal with news coverage he doesn't like is to ban the news organizations doing the reporting. Problem solved!
In a Truth Social post Friday, Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were being banned from the White House “effective immediately,” accusing the outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS.” Because apparently the presidential solution to unfavorable coverage is now to start handing out press-room expulsions.
Trump also took a swipe at MS NOW, claiming its recent name change from MSNBC stemmed from declining viewership and credibility. He then turned his attention to Politico, repeating his claim that the outlet received an $8 million government “subscription” during the Biden presidency and suggesting that the spending amounted to corruption.
Earlier in a separate post, he wrote, "Unwatchable and Failing CNN is so dishonest. Everything they say is slanted against the Republican Party. They are truly FAKE NEWS! Thankfully, very few people are watching!"
He offered no specifics to substantiate his sweeping accusations that the outlets were reporting “FICTION and LIES.” Instead, Trump declared that media organizations shouldn't be allowed to report that way about the president or his administration. It's not clear what set the thin-skinned president off this time.
And just in case anyone thought the blacklist stopped there, Trump added a warning: “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”
So, essentially: If the White House doesn't like the coverage, it apparently prefers less coverage. Trump banned CNN after apparently hate-watching it all afternoon. Makes total sense!
And he literally called it a "ban on the free press" to reporters.
Trump: Oh, the ban on the on the free press, right? I don't want them in my office. I don't want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can pic.twitter.com/rn2IcIEnp1
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 18, 2026
UPDATE: CNN released a statement:
CNN Statement on White House access: pic.twitter.com/X0rMWFfueA
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) September 18, 2026
