CNN, MS NOW, Politico sue Trump over White House ban, president doubles down
'The government should not decide what the press reports or publishes'
Published September 21, 2026
Three major U.S. news outlets: CNN, MSNOW and Politico, have announced plans to sue President Donald Trump’s administration after they were banned from the White House.
In a joint statement on Monday, September 21, 2026, the news organisations vowed to take the matter to the US District Court for the District of Columbia to defend their First Amendment rights under the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of press and speech.
The outlets said the government revoked credentials of their journalists without any prior notice or process, adding, “If left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”
The three prominent news organisations said that the lawsuit will aim to defend the principle that the government should not decide what the press reports or publishes, adding, “The ban is unconstitutional and should be immediately restrained.”
However, the U.S. president stood by his decision on Monday and doubled down against these outlets, describing the news media as a security threat.
The 80-year-old Republican president wrote, “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS."
"It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW!”
Emergency hearings could take place as soon as this week.
