Trump Says He's Banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico From the White House

President Trump announced Friday that he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three outlets of persistent "FAKE NEWS" coverage — a move press freedom groups immediately called unconstitutional.

Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social: "I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW … and Politico … from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" He added: "Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America." Speaking to reporters afterward, he said: "Because they're fake news, and you get so tired of reading and seeing fake news."

As of Friday afternoon, there was no confirmed indication the administration had taken concrete steps to enforce the ban — CNN reported that its team remained at the White House. Asked how a ban would square with the First Amendment, Trump told a reporter: "I dislike dishonest press like you."

CNN responded: "We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government." Politico said it "will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them." White House Correspondents' Association President Jacqui Heinrich said: "The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference." Knight First Amendment Institute Executive Director Jameel Jaffer added: "The First Amendment prohibits the president from punishing journalists because he doesn't like their coverage."

The move echoes Trump's first term, when he revoked CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's White House press credentials after a contentious exchange at a news conference. CNN sued, and a federal court ordered the credentials restored.