White House TV pool suspends coverage of Trump events following media ban

<p>Members of the White House television pool, including FOX News Media, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News, announced on September 21, 2026, that they have agreed to suspend their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump after he banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, accusing them of publishing "fake news." </p><p>On the same day, it was CNN's turn to serve as the White House pool representative. The pool members have traditionally taken turns covering the president and sharing footage.</p><p>In a joint statement, the pool members stated, "The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting." </p><p>This announcement followed hours after CNN, MS NOW, and Politico revealed their plans to file a lawsuit in response to Trump's ban. </p><p>The three outlets stated, "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." </p><p>They 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." </p><p>In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, asserting that he was not attacking the free press. He stated, "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, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America. 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." </p><p>Previous attempts by the Trump administration to ban certain outlets and individual journalists have been blocked by federal judges.</p>