Trump says CNN, Politico, MS NOW banned from White House

WASHINGTON:

US President Donald Trump said Friday he was banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them of spreading "fake news" about his administration.

The 80-year-old Republican -- who has long had a fiery relationship with the media -- warned that other outlets could face a similar fate but did not say which ones.

The move by Trump drew immediate accusations that it was unconstitutional and would be thrown out by the courts, while the impacted news outlets said they would not be cowed.

"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW...and Politico...from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Trump did not say what prompted the move but added that "media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States."

Later in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters: "I think that somebody has a right to keep them away if they're going to write false stories all the time."

Asked if any particular stories had sparked the ban, he replied: "It's really just cumulative stories over the last two years."

"You get sick of it," he said. "They purposely write negative news, and they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration."

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host who has brought in tight restrictions at the Pentagon, backed Trump's new ban and accused the outlets of having "endangered troops" with unspecified stories.

Journalists for broadcasters CNN and MS NOW -- which was until recently known as MSNBC -- and Politico remained on White House premises following Trump's announcement.

Reporters for the two TV news channels could still be seen broadcasting from their stations on the White House driveway.

CNN said Trump's ban was an "illegal assault" on US press freedom, adding that its reporting was "fair and accurate" and was protected under the US Constitution.

Politico vowed Friday to "vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them."

The White House Correspondents Association -- the independent body representing journalists covering the presidency -- said it "stands in defense" of the journalists "who are being singled out for doing their jobs."

Both of Trump's White House terms have seen him lash out repeatedly at media whose coverage displeases him.

He has filed multiple defamation suits against news outlets, attacked the press on Truth Social and verbally assaulted several reporters, notably women, including CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins.