Trump says he is banning CNN and other news outlets from the White House

Washington: Donald Trump said he was banning cable news channel CNN and two other prominent US media outlets from the White House because of what he referred to as their “constant ‘reporting’ fake news”.

The US president made the declaration on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday afternoon (Saturday morning AEST). He said MS-NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, was also banned, along with politics-focused news outlet Politico – which has just launched an Australian division.

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon.AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin“Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America,” Trump said.

“Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.” He said the ban on the three outlets was effective immediately.

The announcement is an extraordinary escalation of Trump’s long-standing animosity towards the media and outlets that report factual stories he does not like.

It was not immediately clear exactly what Trump’s directive meant, given there are various levels of access that outlets have to the White House and Trump.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in the White House press briefing room on the night a shooter targeted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.APReporters are issued passes for the White House grounds, but that does not guarantee access to the “pool” - a smaller, rotating group of journalists that are allowed inside the Oval Office.

Asked for clarification at a news conference in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, Trump said: “I don’t want them in my office, I don’t want them here. The ban would go as far as you can.”

The White House Correspondents’ Association, which traditionally manages the media presence in the White House and the rotating press pool, was contacted for comment.

Trump suggested there was no particular trigger for his decision to ban the three outlets now. “It’s really just cumulative stories over the last few years,” he said. “They purposefully write negative news, and they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.”

Donald Trump takes questions from reporters in the Oval Office on Friday after announcing a ban on CNN, Politico and MS-NOW.AP Photo/Jacquelyn MartinThe president went on to cite his election victory and wins in all seven swing states, and suggested the banned outlets did not extend him enough praise.

“I won [in] a landslide and I don’t get fair press. I get it from Breitbart, I get it a little bit from Fox [News]. What I do ask is just a semblance of truth … everything’s been a victory. It has all been a victory.”

At one point, Trump was confused when a reporter attempted to ask him about the ban. “When you say ‘the ban’, which ban? Do you know how many bans I’m involved in?” he said.

Later, he acknowledged: “Oh, the ban on the free press, right?”

CNN’s Kristen Holmes at the White House in April. She was still reporting from the White House grounds on Friday afternoon after the “ban”.Getty ImagesIn his first term, Trump attempted to ban a CNN reporter, Jim Acosta, by revoking his White House pass. CNN succeeded in having it restored via a legal challenge.

But in Trump’s second term, the White House has taken more control of the daily press pool, giving space to smaller, “new media” outlets that are typically conservative or even far-right.

Founded in 1980, CNN provides close coverage of US politics, with several prominent reporters ordinarily based at the White House. Owned by Warner Bros Discovery, it is set to be sold to David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance as part of a $US110 billion ($154b) merger, though Paramount recently said selling the channel was an option to resolve market concentration issues in the deal.

Trump has frequently targeted CNN for its coverage of his war against Iran and other matters. He has directed many attacks at high-profile anchor Kaitlan Collins, whom he called “very dumb and unhappy” last week. He regularly accuses her of failing to smile sufficiently.

Politico’s inclusion on the banned list was surprising given it is not a regular Trump target. In his Truth Social post, he dredged up an old complaint about the outlet receiving $US8 million from the Biden administration, suggesting it was “corruption”. In fact, the money was for subscriptions to Politico’s premium products.

There is currently no White House press secretary after Karoline Leavitt departed the role last month. She has not been replaced.

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