Journalists from CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), and Politico were denied access to the White House on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following an announcement by President Donald Trump that he was banning the news organizations. This action was taken a day after Trump publicly stated his intention to bar them over reporting he deemed "fake news."
White House reporters, including Betsy Klein of CNN and Akayla Gardner of MS NOW, both reported live that their press badges had been deactivated and confiscated upon their arrival. Politico's Cheyenne Haslett also had her access denied and pass confiscated. While an MS NOW producer was able to enter, a photographer's badge was also disabled. Security personnel reportedly informed Gardner that the decision was "above him."
The move drew immediate strong condemnation from various bodies. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) demanded immediate restoration of access, stating that the action violated the First Amendment and that press access is a right, not a privilege. Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders also vowed legal action, emphasizing that the American people have a right to be independently informed. Legal experts, such as Amy Kristin Sanders from Penn State University, noted that the administration's actions go against traditional First Amendment rules and norms, creating a "chilling effect" on freedom of expression globally.
All three news outlets indicated their intention to pursue legal action. Politico Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Greenberger stated they would "vigorously defend our First Amendment rights," while CNN affirmed it would not be "deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account." MS NOW committed to taking "any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy." CNN media analyst Brian Stelter characterized the incident as a "direct threat to press freedom in the United States" and a "free speech test in America."
