Donald Trump Denies ‘Assault on Free Press’ As CNN, MS NOW and Politico Sue Over White House Media Ban
US President Donald Trump denied launching an 'assault on the Free Press' after CNN, MS NOW, and Politico announced plans to sue his administration over their White House ban. Writing on Truth Social, Trump described the exclusion as an action against 'FAKE NEWS' and a 'threat to National Security,' while the outlets argued the ban violates the First Amendment.
US President Donald Trump on Monday, September 21, denied he is “instituting an assault” on the press after three major news outlets, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, announced legal action against his administration over their exclusion from the White House. Writing on Truth Social, Trump defended the sweeping media ban, framing the revocation of press credentials as an effort targeting what he termed fabricated reporting rather than constitutional press freedoms.
“The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, arguing that it is instead “instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS”. He continued: “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! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”. Donald Trump White House Press Ban: CNN, MS NOW and Politico To File Lawsuit To Restore Access.
Donald Trump Denies ‘Assault on Free Press’
Banned Outlets Mount Joint First Amendment Challenge
The administration's defense follows an announcement by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico that they are mounting a joint federal lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia to restore full reporting access.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the companies said in a joint statement. CNN, MS NOW and Politico Banned From White House Over ‘Fake News’: What Donald Trump Said.
The outlets added: “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.”
The public feud escalated sharply over the weekend after Trump initially barred the three organizations from White House premises, alleging their reporting lacked credibility. On Saturday, journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were denied entry to the complex by the Secret Service, which confiscated their physical press credentials.
The restrictions also disrupted joint press pool operations, leaving correspondents unable to access workspaces or operate broadcast camera positions on the grounds.
The administration's ban has drawn immediate backlash from across the political spectrum, with civil liberties groups and legal scholars arguing the move constitutes a direct violation of First Amendment protections.
Critics contend that selectively revoking press access based on viewpoint hostility sets a dangerous legal precedent for executive accountability. Conversely, the White House continues to argue that the president maintains wide administrative discretion over access to executive workspaces.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2026 07:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
