Major US outlets boycott shared Trump coverage in protest at media ban

September 22, 2026

President Donald Trump banned three news organizations—CNN, Politico, and MS NOW—from White House access after accusing them of publishing false information about his administration. In response, major television networks suspended their participation in the White House press pool system, which allows media outlets to share coverage of presidential events to reduce costs and coordinate access. The boycott resulted in no network television footage of Trump's activities on Monday, including his Air Force One departure and arrival at the UN General Assembly, though the White House launched its own streaming channel called Trump TV.

Who is affected

CNN, Politico, and MS NOW (banned from White House access)
Major US television networks participating in the press pool
The New York Times and Washington Post
Fox News (in its role coordinating pool coverage)
The American public (reduced access to independent presidential coverage)
President Donald Trump and his administration

What action is being taken

Major US television networks are suspending their pooled coverage of President Trump
The New York Times, Washington Post, and other outlets are refusing to share still images from Trump events
CNN, Politico, and MS NOW are filing a lawsuit in US District Court in Washington against the Trump administration
The White House is operating Trump TV, a 24/7 streaming channel featuring clips of the president

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and the press, striking at the foundation of press freedom and government accountability. The White House press pool system has long been a crucial mechanism for ensuring the American public receives coverage of presidential activities, even when space or resources are limited. By banning specific outlets based on their reporting and prompting a widespread media boycott, the situation threatens the principle that government cannot selectively control which journalists have access to cover the presidency. The dispute raises fundamental constitutional questions about First Amendment rights and whether an administration can revoke press credentials without due process simply because it disagrees with coverage.

What's next

The three banned outlets will pursue their lawsuit to defend press freedom principles and challenge the credential revocations
The lawsuit will proceed in US District Court in Washington

Read full article from source: BBC