CNN reported on September 22, 2026, that White House aide Natalie Harp presented President Donald Trump with news clips prior to his decision to bar CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from the White House. According to unnamed sources cited by CNN, Harp showed Trump a graphic from Politico and clips from television coverage last week, which was believed to have contributed to the president's decision to implement the ban.
Trump announced the ban on September 22 via a post on Truth Social, stating, "I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them 'alive.' Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!"
CNN noted that the announcement surprised several of Trump's advisers, including those who regularly interact with reporters. The network reported that Trump appeared frustrated with recent coverage regarding setbacks in court and Congress, as well as the Republican Party's prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. Some senior advisers were not present in the West Wing during the announcement, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Vice President JD Vance, who was returning from a campaign event in Iowa.
The ban took effect on September 23, when journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were denied entry to the White House grounds. CNN reporter Betsy Klein had her credential revoked as part of this action. In response, the three media outlets filed a lawsuit on September 22 seeking to regain access, arguing that the White House revoked their credentials due to objections to their reporting. They stated, "Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference."
Trump indicated that the outlets could regain access if they "could straighten themselves out."