Journalists Denied White House Access After Trump Banned Some Media Outlets
BBC News reports that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters have been denied access to the White House following US President Donald Trump's ban on these outlets.
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By Grace Eliza Goodwin
Published 19 September 2026, 15:31 BST Updated 2 hours ago
Politico, CNN, and MS NOW journalists have all faced restricted access to the White House following Trump's announcement of a ban on these outlets.
On Saturday morning, an MS NOW reporter and photographer attempted to enter the White House grounds but were unsuccessful as their badges failed to scan, with an officer confiscating them. Similar incidents were reported by both CNN and Politico, where their journalists were also denied entry and had their badges seized.
Trump justified his decision on Friday by accusing these media outlets of disseminating "fiction or lies" about his administration.
MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner described her experience: "The officer asked me to hand over my badge. He said that it was disabled. I asked why I was not able to get inside. He said it was above him."
CNN reporter Betsy Klein also encountered a Secret Service agent who informed her that her badge had been deactivated.
Politico followed suit, stating that their reporter, Cheyenne Haslett, was denied entry, and her pass was revoked by the Secret Service.
These outlets have collectively spoken out against the move, arguing that Trump is violating their constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of the press.
An MS NOW spokesperson expressed: "The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars." They further stated their intention to defend their First Amendment rights.
Politico Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Greenberger affirmed in an internal email that the company stands behind its reporters and will "vigorously defend" their constitutional entitlements.
CNN also expressed their stance: "We have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right."
Trump's announcement did not specify particular stories or reporting from these outlets that prompted the move, but he later stated that it was "cumulative stories over the last few years." He also suggested that other news outlets might face a similar ban, naming The New York Times and The Washington Post as examples of "fake news."
The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) has condemned the administration's actions, calling for the immediate restoration of access to these journalists and accusing them of violating the First Amendment.