# DOJ probes news pool over Trump outlet ban

> The Justice Department is investigating whether five broadcasters violated antitrust law by halting White House coverage after the administration barred CNN, MSNBC and Politico.
- Title: DOJ probes news pool over Trump outlet ban · Fortune
- Summary: The Justice Department is investigating whether five broadcasters violated antitrust law by halting White House coverage after the administration barred CNN…
- Keywords: department of justice, antitrust investigation, white house press pool, donald trump, cnn, msnbc, politico, press freedom, news organizations, DOJ, probes, news
- Source: Fortune — https://fortune.com/2026/10/11/doj-antitrust-investigation-news-organizations-white-house-tv-pool-coverage-trump-ban-cnn-msnbc-politico
- Author: Alanna Durkin Richer
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: department of justice, antitrust investigation, white house press pool, donald trump, cnn, msnbc, politico, press freedom, news organizations
## DOJ opens antitrust inquiry into news pool
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether the White House television press pool violated antitrust law by halting coverage after the administration barred CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House.

> The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.
## Pool halted coverage after three outlets banned
Last month, five broadcasters in the White House television pool stopped covering the president after the administration barred CNN, MSNBC and Politico.
## Press freedom advocate warns against intimidation
Jose Zamora, the Committee to Protect Journalists' regional director of the Americas, criticized the investigation on Saturday, saying the government should not use antitrust inquiries to intimidate news outlets defending press access.

> The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets defending press access.
## Key takeaway

The DOJ is investigating whether the White House TV pool's decision to stop covering the president after three outlets were banned violated antitrust law.