Three major news outlets are barred from the White House following a presidential order targeting 'fake news.' CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters were denied access Saturday, with their press credentials revoked or confiscated. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the administration and the press.
The ban follows a Friday announcement by President Trump, who accused the outlets of reporting 'fiction and lies.' Journalists from the three organizations were turned away from the White House grounds, with some reporting that their access passes were confiscated. The decision has sparked immediate legal and constitutional concerns.
Legal experts and press freedom advocates have raised alarms, citing the 1977 Sherrill v. Knight ruling, which protects press access to the White House. The move could lead to legal challenges, as the ruling emphasizes that press access cannot be arbitrarily revoked. The administration's actions have been criticized as a threat to First Amendment protections.
The White House Correspondents’ Association and other groups have condemned the decision, emphasizing that press freedom is a constitutional right. The ban is part of a pattern of confrontations between Trump and media outlets, including a 2025 case involving Associated Press and the Oval Office.