US television networks boycotted coverage of President Donald Trump on September 21, 2026, in response to his decision to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The top five US broadcasters, including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC, announced they would halt 'pool' coverage in solidarity with CNN, which had been scheduled to serve as the White House TV pool that day. The networks 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.' This boycott resulted in no television coverage of Trump's trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he was expected to meet with foreign leaders.
CNN and MS NOW have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban, arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution. In their court filing, they stated, 'This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles.' Trump responded to the media's actions by labeling them a 'cancer' and a threat to national security, asserting on his Truth Social network that the White House is not attacking the free press but rather 'FAKE NEWS.'
Vice President JD Vance, a former CNN commentator, defended the ban, stating that the outlets still have access to free speech but would no longer have an office in the White House. The ban took effect on September 19, 2026, when journalists from the affected outlets were denied access to the White House and had their credentials revoked without prior notice. The White House has not provided specific reasons for the ban, but Trump indicated it was due to cumulative critical coverage over the past two years. He also warned that other outlets could face similar consequences.