Trump announces September 18 White House ban on three major outlets
Trump announced September 18 bans on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House access and Air Force One.
Event / Politics
Trump Administration Media Access Restrictions
Legal challenges to Trump administration restrictions on media outlet access to White House facilities and official events, including press ban enforcement and First Amendment litigation.
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2026-09-19 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 19 Sept, 14:43 UTC
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What happened
Trump administration blocked CNN and Politico from Air Force One travel
Despite the preliminary injunction restoring White House press credentials, the Trump administration blocked reporters from CNN and Politico from traveling on Air Force One, implementing additional press restrictions beyond the White House access ban.
President Trump announced ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House on September 18
President Donald Trump announced on social media on September 18, 2026, that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House complex. Trump stated he was frustrated by cumulative negative stories from these outlets, which he characterized as fake news. White House officials subsequently deactivated or confiscated reporters' credentials from these organizations.
White House confirms intention to appeal Kelly's preliminary injunction ruling
A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the administration intends to appeal Judge Kelly's preliminary injunction ruling, defending the restrictions on the three outlets' access and characterizing the court's decision as misguided.
Judge Kelly ruled press ban likely violated First Amendment and due process rights
Judge Timothy Kelly determined that the targeted media outlets would likely succeed in proving that Trump's ban violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights and First Amendment free speech protections. Kelly found that the outlets received no notice of the conduct leading to credential revocation, and that Trump's public statements indicated he was motivated by retaliation for unfavorable coverage rather than national security concerns.
Judge Kelly rejected administration's request to suspend ruling pending appeal
Judge Timothy Kelly refused the Trump administration's request to suspend his preliminary injunction order while the appeal process moves forward, allowing the injunction to remain in effect during ongoing litigation.
Judge Timothy Kelly issues preliminary injunction restoring White House press access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a preliminary injunction on October 13, 2026, requiring the White House to restore and maintain press credentials for journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The injunction extended an earlier temporary restraining order that was set to expire on the same date.
Justice Department investigates broadcast pool antitrust violation
The Justice Department announced an investigation over the weekend into whether five broadcast networks violated antitrust laws when the rotating pool of networks stood by CNN and canceled coverage of Trump in response to the media ban.
Federal judge issues preliminary injunction blocking Trump's media ban
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a preliminary injunction on October 15 extending an order that blocks the Trump administration from enforcing the ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters from the White House. The judge ruled that the news organizations are likely to succeed in their constitutional free speech and due process claims under the First and Fifth Amendments.
Judge temporarily blocked Trump media ban on September 24
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order on September 24 blocking Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters from White House access. The temporary order restored the reporters' 'hard pass' press credentials while the judge considered their legal claims.
Trump administration announces ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from White House
President Donald Trump announced a ban on reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from accessing the White House on September 18 via a social media post. The ban was announced without prior warning to the affected news organizations and criticized their reporting as 'fake news.' The ban affected a total of 78 reporters across the three news organizations.
Judge finds Trump ban constitutes unlawful viewpoint discrimination
Judge Kelly ruled that Trump's ban on the three news outlets violated their First Amendment right to free speech, constituting unlawful viewpoint discrimination. The judge rejected the administration's argument that the ban was motivated by national security concerns, finding instead that it was driven by Trump's stated belief that the outlets' reporting was inaccurate and biased.
Television pool coverage of White House resumes
Following the court order granting relief to banned news organizations, television pool coverage of the White House resumed after the temporary cessation.
DOJ opens antitrust investigation into White House TV pool coverage halt
The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is investigating whether the White House television press pool's decision to halt coverage of President Donald Trump violated antitrust law. DOJ Antitrust Division spokesperson Emily Covington stated the investigation is examining whether news organizations engaged in group boycotts that might violate U.S. antitrust laws.
Three news organizations file lawsuit against White House press ban
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico sued the administration over the multi-day ban from the White House. A judge granted the three news organizations a reprieve, with the court order in place until the following Tuesday.
White House bars CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from coverage
The Trump administration barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, triggering the television press pool to cease presidential coverage in response. This decision marked an escalation in the administration's efforts to restrict news reporters and outlets deemed insufficiently supportive.
Banned media outlets sue Trump administration, arguing constitutional free speech violations
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing that the ban on their White House access violates their constitutional rights to free speech.
White House television press pool suspends coverage in solidarity with CNN
The five-network television press pool (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and CNN) suspended White House event coverage on September 21 in response to CNN being banned from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. The pool chair stated the suspension followed the White House's position preventing CNN from its assigned responsibilities.
President Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House complex
President Trump announced on September 18 that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House complex, citing complaints about their coverage of him.
Department of Justice launches antitrust investigation into television networks
The Department of Justice announced an antitrust investigation into ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and CNN to determine whether their joint decision to suspend White House coverage violated antitrust laws. The DOJ stated that group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act.
Television pool resumes White House coverage after court restraining order
Following the federal judge's restraining order on September 24, the five television networks resumed their pool coverage of White House events.
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2 alternative perspectives
Judge Kelly's injunction restores press access in viewpoint discrimination ruling
Federal judge blocks press ban as unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination; administration vows appeal.
Justice Department opens antitrust investigation into broadcast pool halt
DOJ antitrust probe into White House pool suspension leads to resumption of television coverage.
Federal judge blocks Trump media ban as viewpoint discrimination
Federal judge blocks media ban as unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination under First Amendment.
DOJ Antitrust Probe Restores White House Pool Coverage Amid Credential Disputes
DOJ antitrust probe into media pool halt triggers White House coverage resumption amid ongoing credential disputes.
Networks resume White House coverage after antitrust scrutiny halts credential ban
DOJ antitrust investigation prompts White House to resume television pool coverage after networks' solidarity suspension.
Justice Department Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Trump Media Restrictions
DOJ launches antitrust probe into White House pool coverage halt; coverage resumes amid investigation.
Three news organizations file federal lawsuit against White House press ban
Three news outlets filed federal lawsuit challenging White House credential ban using landmark press freedom precedent.
DOJ launches antitrust probe into White House television pool halt
DOJ opens antitrust investigation into White House pool coverage halt; coverage resumes.
Three news outlets request court order to restore White House access
Three banned news outlets request preliminary injunction to restore White House press access during litigation.
Federal judge restrains Trump media ban; White House excludes CNN anyway
Federal judge restrains media ban; White House defies order by excluding CNN from Air Force One.
Leavitt shops White House memoir as press tensions escalate
Departing press secretary Leavitt pitches memoir revealing private Trump conversations with world leaders.