White House denies entry to CNN and MS NOW reporters after Trump announces media ban
CNN and MS NOW journalists were turned away from the White House grounds on Saturday, following President Trump's announcement that he was banning the outlets and Politico, prompting criticism from press groups and former officials.
Journalists from CNN and the independent outlet MS NOW reported being denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump announced on social media that he was banning the two organizations and Politico for what he described as "constant 'reporting' fake news."
MS NOW said its reporter Akayla Gardner arrived with a press badge that was disabled, and an officer asked her to hand it over. A photographer from the outlet was also turned away, while a producer was allowed onto the premises, though the reason for the discrepancy was not explained. CNN White House reporter Betsy Klein said she was stopped at a security kiosk and had her credential confiscated before being escorted out.
Both outlets issued statements asserting their constitutional right to report without government interference. CNN called the ban "an illegal assault on this fundamental right," while MS NOW said it would take steps to defend First Amendment protections. The White House declined further comment, referring reporters to the president's earlier remarks.
Trump had posted on Truth Social that media outlets should not "constantly write or report fiction and lies" when covering the president, and warned that other outlets could face similar action. Politico’s communications team rejected the claim that it receives government subsidies and pledged to defend its press freedoms.
The move drew criticism from the White House Correspondents' Association, whose president said the action violated constitutional protections for the press, and from a New York Times spokesperson who noted prior court rulings against similar restrictions. Former President Barack Obama, speaking at a university event, warned that restricting media access undermines democratic understanding. The ban follows earlier disputes in which Trump limited access for other news organizations during his previous term.