Efe Ozkan
22 September 2026•Update: 22 September 2026
US President Donald Trump on Monday criticized CNN, Politico and MS NOW after the three news organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the White House's decision to bar their reporters from accessing the presidential compound.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, called the organizations "Fake News" outlets and said they should not have access to the Oval Office.
“It is called the Oval Office, and it should be treated with Decorum, Respect, and Dignity, not defiled by Third Rate Clowns, who purposefully distort, twist, and degrade with everything they write or publish,” he wrote.
Trump went on to state: "Virtually every story about me, or anything having to do with me, is negative, wrong and, in many cases, DANGEROUS for our Country! No matter how GREAT my Achievements, they trivialize and demean."
Trump added that he would “do whatever is necessary to make sure that the U.S.A. thrives” as “FAKE NEWS IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.”
Separately, members of the White House television pool, comprising ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media, and NBC News, issued a joint statement in solidarity with the excluded outlets.
"The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government," the pool members said, adding: "No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting."
The five major television networks proceeded to suspend their coverage on Monday morning to protest the White House barring journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.
On Monday, a White House ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Trump, surrounded by workers in hard hats and safety vests, was broadcast by US news outlet Newsmax with only live visuals and lacked audio due to the press pool being absent.
The Washington Post also stated that it would not publish any photographs from presidential events on Monday, joining other news outlets in a show of support.
