**Donald Trump Announces Ban on CNN and Politico from White House**
*By Bernd Debusmann Jr, White House Reporter*
In a significant escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and the media, President Donald Trump has declared an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The announcement, made via a lengthy post on Truth Social on September 18, 2026, reflects Trump's ongoing grievances with these outlets, which he accuses of disseminating "fiction or lies" about his presidency.
Trump's post did not specify particular instances or articles that prompted the ban, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of this decision. It remains unclear what the enforcement of such a ban would entail, including whether journalists from these organizations would be barred from entering White House grounds or attending press briefings.
The announcement comes amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and criticism of the media's role in covering the Trump administration. Since his return to office in January 2025, Trump has had a contentious relationship with various media outlets, frequently expressing dissatisfaction with their reporting. In February 2025, the White House took steps to regain control over the press pool, which had traditionally been managed by the White House Correspondents' Association for over a century.
In his post, Trump emphasized the need for accurate reporting, stating, "Media outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report fiction and lies when covering the President of the United States, the Trump administration, or the United States of America." He suggested that other news organizations might follow suit in banning these outlets, although he did not provide further details on this point.
The announcement is expected to provoke legal challenges from the affected media organizations, as well as press freedom advocates who may view the ban as an infringement on journalistic rights. Shortly after Trump's declaration, reporters from CNN and Politico were still present on the White House grounds, indicating that the practical effects of the ban had yet to be implemented.
As the situation develops, it is likely to attract significant attention from both the public and media watchdogs, raising questions about the future of press access and the relationship between the Trump administration and the media.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.