Trump Bars CNN, MS NOW and Politico Reporters From White House

WASHINGTON: Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied access to the White House on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump announced that he was barring the three media organizations over reporting he described as “fake news.”

White House reporters Betsy Klein of CNN, Akayla Gardner of MS NOW and Cheyenne Haslett of Politico were turned away after their press credentials were deactivated or confiscated.

The three organizations indicated that they were considering legal action. Politico said it would defend its First Amendment rights, while CNN said it would continue its reporting responsibilities. MS NOW likewise said it intended to take steps to defend its constitutional rights and the role of independent journalism.

Trump announced the ban on September 18 through his social media account, saying he was barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House because of what he characterized as unfavorable and false reporting. He did not provide detailed procedures for implementing the ban at the time.

The White House Correspondents’ Association called for the three outlets’ access to be restored, saying that excluding news organizations based on their coverage could have broader implications for press access to government officials.

The development follows Trump’s earlier decision to restrict Associated Press reporters from certain White House events. The AP subsequently challenged that action in court, and the case remains ongoing.