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AP: What is the White House pool? These days, it’s a battleground between Trump and free press rights
The outlets sued, saying the ban is retaliation for coverage Trump dislikes and a violation of the First Amendment.
- On Friday, September 18, 2026, President Donald Trump revoked White House press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, barring the three outlets from the grounds. Secret Service agents turned away reporters Saturday morning.
- Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, claiming the outlets published "FICTION and LIES" and calling the ban necessary to combat "FAKE NEWS." He threatened additional media bans could follow.
- On Monday, September 21, 2026, the three outlets filed a federal lawsuit alleging First Amendment and Fifth Amendment violations. Major television networks suspended pool coverage in solidarity, leaving presidential events without replacement footage.
- White House Correspondents' Association President Jacqui Heinrich condemned the action as a "ban on the free press," while the administration launched Trump TV: The Essentials Station on September 21 to broadcast official content.
- Legal experts cite the 1977 Sherrill v. Knight ruling prohibiting viewpoint discrimination as a significant obstacle to the ban's legality. A federal court hearing is scheduled for September 23 to address the dispute.
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The US president blocked access to CNN's White House, MS NOW and Politico on September 18.
·Montreal, Canada
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The US president caused a storm after he surprised even his own advisers by banning CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House because he did not like the way they reported on him. In the previous days, Trump had been hit with bad news one after another. However, a part of the press came together and indicated that they were not helpless against violations of press freedom.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources377
Leaning Left60Leaning Right82Center81Last UpdatedBias Distribution37% Right
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Right
37% Right
L 27%
C 36%
R 37%
Factuality
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