Rabia Iclal Turan
18 September 2026•Update: 19 September 2026
US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is banning cable news networks CNN and MS NOW and website Politico from the White House, accusing the major outlets of reporting "fake news" about his administration.
"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico ... from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!" Trump said in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump alleged Politico had received "an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription” from the US Government, under previous President Joe Biden, in order to keep them "alive."
"Seems like corruption to me!" he said.
"Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow," he added.
CNN defends its ‘fair and accurate reporting’
Later, asked by a reporter in the Oval Office how he could justify the move while taking an oath to uphold the Constitution, including the First Amendment guarantee of a free press, Trump accused the outlets of publishing what he called “fake news.”
"Because they're fake news, and you get so tired of reading and seeing fake news," he said.
Trump said there “may be others to join them” but added that he would like the outlets to improve their coverage and return to the White House.
"Our country has to have honest news," he said. "You need a free press. You need a fair press and an honest press."
"They purposely write negative news, and they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration. And honestly, we've done a fantastic job. Look at the numbers. Look at the economic numbers. We have more money coming into our country today than ever before," he added.
MS NOW – a left-leaning channel formerly attached to NBC – and Politico did not immediately respond to Trump's statement.
CNN – an outlet long targeted by Trump – on Friday defended its reporters and warned that Trump’s move would violate constitutional press protections.
"CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting," it said in a statement.
"We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."
