White House revokes credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists

Truth Social ban announcement

On Friday, 18 September 2026, Donald Trump announced an immediate ban on White House access for journalists representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the three news organisations of continuously disseminating what he termed fake news, fiction, and falsehoods concerning his administration and the country. He accompanied the declaration with a warning that other media organisations could soon be subjected to the same restrictions. During Friday evening, the practical mechanics of the order remained uncertain as reporters from all three outlets continued working on the White House grounds, with questions remaining over whether the administration planned to revoke press badges, remove correspondents from the presidential press pool, or restrict access to rooms such as the Oval Office.

Access denied at White House security gates

The restrictions took physical effect on the morning of Saturday, 19 September 2026, when security staff began barring journalists at the perimeter checkpoints. CNN reporter Betsy Klein was stopped at the gates, where a United States Secret Service agent informed her that her hard press credential had been deactivated. Speaking later on a broadcast hosted by Kasie Hunt, Klein recounted asking the agent for an explanation, to which the officer responded that he had no additional details and advised her to contact the White House Press Office. At the same time, MS NOW White House correspondent Akayla Gardner and an accompanying network photographer were turned away upon arriving for work. Gardner described the exchange during a live broadcast outside the White House security perimeter, noting that an officer requested the immediate surrender of her press pass after explaining that the directive came from authorities beyond his operational level.

The officer asked me to hand him my credential. He told me it had been deactivated.

Media pushback and constitutional challenge

The White House Correspondents' Association intervened on Saturday, issuing a formal statement that termed the administration's actions unconstitutional and demanding the immediate restoration of press credentials for all affected reporters.

Today's decision to revoke access for journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW violates the First Amendment.

All three targeted organisations announced their intention to continue their reporting while preparing to contest the exclusions. MS NOW stated that it will take every necessary step to defend rights established under the First Amendment and protect the role of independent journalism. Politico confirmed that its reporters will provide fair coverage of the administration while firmly resisting any attempts to constrain editorial work. CNN characterized the credential revocation as an unlawful attack on constitutionally protected journalism, noting that both CNN and MS NOW are exploring legal remedies. The confrontation recalls an incident during Trump's first presidential term, when the administration revoked the White House press pass of CNN journalist Jim Acosta following a press conference dispute, leading to a federal lawsuit that compelled the government to restore his credentials.