US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House with immediate effect, escalating his long running confrontation with news organizations whose coverage he has repeatedly criticized.

Trump announced the decision on social media on September 18, accusing the three organizations of reporting what he described as false information about his presidency and administration.

The President also indicated that additional news organizations could face similar restrictions.

However, the precise scope and implementation of the announcement remained unclear shortly afterward, with no detailed White House directive publicly explaining whether reporters would lose credentials, be denied access to the White House grounds or be excluded from particular presidential events.

CNN journalists were reportedly still working from the White House following Trump's announcement.

TRUMP ACCUSES OUTLETS OF FALSE REPORTING

Trump said his decision was prompted by what he described as repeated inaccurate reporting by CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

He argued that news organizations should not be permitted to repeatedly publish information he considers false when covering the President, his administration or the United States.

Trump did not identify specific reports from the three organizations that prompted Friday's announcement.

He also warned that other news organizations could subsequently face similar action.

IMPLEMENTATION REMAINS UNCLEAR

Questions quickly emerged about how the announced restrictions would operate in practice.

Trump said the ban was effective immediately, but no detailed explanation was initially released defining what access would be withdrawn.

White House access can involve several different arrangements, including permanent press credentials, access to briefings and presidential events and participation in the smaller rotating press pool that follows the President when space is limited.

CNN has traditionally participated in the television network pool covering presidential activities.

Shortly after Trump's announcement, CNN reporter Brian Settler said the network's journalists remained at the White House and were continuing their work.

FIRST AMENDMENT QUESTIONS EMERGE

The announcement is expected to renew debate over the constitutional limits of a president's authority to restrict journalists from White House access.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Legal disputes involving White House press access have previously examined whether an administration can exclude individual journalists or news organizations and what procedures must be followed when credentials or access are withdrawn.

The exact legal implications of Trump's latest announcement may depend partly on how the administration ultimately implements the restrictions.

TRUMP HAS LONG CLASHED WITH NEWS ORGANISATIONS

Trump has had a contentious relationship with sections of the American media throughout his political career.

Since returning to the presidency in January 2025, he has repeatedly criticized television networks, newspapers and individual journalists over coverage he considers unfair or inaccurate.

His administration previously restricted Associated Press journalists from some presidential events following a dispute over the news organization's decision not to adopt Trump's preferred terminology for the Gulf of Mexico.

That dispute resulted in litigation over press access.

During Trump's first presidency, disputes involving White House press credentials also reached federal courts.

MORE MEDIA RESTRICTIONS THREATENED

Trump's statement suggested CNN, MS NOW and Politico may not be the final organizations targeted.

He said additional news outlets could follow but did not identify them.

CNN, MS NOW, Politico and the National Press Club had not immediately responded to Reuters requests for comment following the announcement.

The situation remained developing Friday, particularly because the practical restrictions facing journalists from the three organizations had yet to become clear.

Any formal attempt to revoke credentials or exclude the organizations from White House coverage could become the subject of further political debate and potential legal challenges.