# Trump bans three outlets from White House > CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued after Trump revoked their press credentials, sparking a constitutional showdown over press freedom. - Title: Trump bans three outlets from White House · NBC News - Summary: CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued after Trump revoked their press credentials, sparking a constitutional showdown over press freedom. Trump's ban on three major… - Keywords: trump administration, cnn, politico, ms now, white house, press ban, first amendment, lawsuit, press freedom, media access, pool coverage, press credentials - Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/cnn-politico-ms-now-plan-sue-trump-administration-ban-white-house-cove-rcna598912 - Author: Megan Brand - Published: 2026-09-21T21:42:06.77+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: trump administration, cnn, politico, ms now, white house, press ban, first amendment, lawsuit, press freedom, media access, pool coverage, press credentials ## Trump bans three news outlets President Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that he was banning CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House coverage, citing what he called their constant fake news reporting. ## Staff caught off guard by ban White House aides were surprised by the announcement. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was not at the White House when the ban was announced, contributing to confusion among staff. ## Reporters denied access Saturday MS NOW's Akayla Gardner, CNN's Betsy Klein and Politico's Cheyenne Haslett were all denied access to the White House on Saturday. Klein and Haslett had their press credentials confiscated. ## Pool coverage breaks down Monday Without TV pool cameras present, Trump couldn't be heard speaking at a White House helipad ribbon-cutting. A Newsmax correspondent noted the president's words were inaudible because the pool system wasn't operating. > There is no microphone because the pool cameras aren't there. ## NYC mayor pushes back on ban New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told Trump during a Monday meeting that he believes all press should be included regardless of their opinions or critiques. ## Trump defends his decision Trump responded to criticism by saying outlets have an obligation to be fair, and if they report fake news, he has an obligation not to allow them into the White House. ## Three outlets file lawsuit CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing the ban violated their First Amendment rights and due process protections for newsgathering. ## Lawsuit calls it constitutional assault The 27-page filing stated the ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of fundamental constitutional principles. > This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles. ## Plaintiffs seek emergency order The three outlets asked U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the ban and restoring the reporters' hard passes to access White House grounds. ## Judge sets Wednesday hearing Judge Kelly scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to evaluate the outlets' request and ordered the Trump administration to respond to their claims by Tuesday. ## Similar case from 2018 Judge Kelly previously oversaw a case when the White House removed CNN's Jim Acosta's press credentials in 2018. Kelly ordered the administration to temporarily return his pass, and days later they restored it permanently. ## Other networks refuse to fill gap CNN was scheduled to provide Monday's TV pool coverage. After the ban, other networks declined to replace CNN's assignment, leaving no pooled TV coverage of the president's activities. ## Networks stand together NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and Fox News jointly stated that the public has a vital interest in accurate information and no administration should restrict news organizations because it objects to their reporting. > The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. ## Part of broader pattern Legal experts say Trump's ban is part of a broader effort to hinder press access. Trump previously barred the Associated Press from certain events after it declined to call the Gulf of Mexico by his preferred name. ## Legal experts predict press wins Two law professors told NBC News the media outlets' case is likely to succeed in lower courts. One noted Trump's explanation for the ban actually strengthens the First Amendment arguments. ## Republicans defend the ban Vice President JD Vance said Trump was not banning outlets but denying them special access. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized legacy media for perceived bias. ## Key takeaway Trump's ban on three major news outlets from White House coverage triggered an immediate First Amendment lawsuit and a coordinated refusal by TV networks to provide pool coverage, creating a rare moment of press solidarity against government access restrictions.