Story perspectives

Trump Bars CNN, MSNBC and Politico From Press Pool

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House press pool.
The TV press pool suspended coverage of his events on September 21 2026.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit alleging a First Amendment violation.
The White House launched a YouTube livestream channel called TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station to broadcast presidential content.

History

Historical Context

In 1971, President Richard Nixon’s administration curtailed White House press pool access after the New York Times published the 2,000-page Pentagon Papers. The Washington Post reported that the administration barred 5 journalists, prompting a lawsuit that cited a 1974 Supreme Court ruling protecting prior-publication rights. Similarly, in September 2026, President Donald Trump expelled CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House press pool, launching a YouTube channel dubbed TRUMP TV. The recurring clampdown underscores how executive attempts to reshape media access revive constitutional battles, urging courts to reaffirm First Amendment safeguards.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House press pool.
The TV press pool suspended coverage of his events on September 21 2026.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit alleging a First Amendment violation.
The White House launched a YouTube livestream channel called TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station to broadcast presidential content.

1 / 2