Three media organizations – CNN, Politico and MS Now – have sued the White House after President Trump barred their reporters from the White House press pool, alleging unlawful denial of access. The suit is being heard by Judge Tim Kelly, a Trump‑appointed federal judge who previously ordered the White House to restore credentials for CNN’s Jim Acosta.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called Judge Kelly “a great judge for them” and suggested the judge’s prior ruling in favor of Acosta would lead to an unfavorable outcome for the administration. He wrote that the case would be “almost without question” and that his team would “go for appeal” against what he described as “Fake News” outlets.
Trump’s ban, announced on Friday, was framed by the president as a response to what he called “propaganda” and “negative coverage.” He told reporters that the outlets have an “obligation to be fair” and that “fake news” should not be granted special White House access.
The ban triggered a coordinated response from the traditional White House television pool. The remaining four network members – ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox News – suspended their video coverage of the president in solidarity with the barred outlets. The New York Times and The Washington Post also announced a temporary moratorium on publishing still photographs taken by the White House pool, joining a broader media boycott.
While the lawsuit proceeds, Trump traveled to New York City to meet New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion. The meeting, part of a series of diplomatic engagements ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, also touched on unrelated topics such as potential housing projects in Queens.
The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for how the White House regulates press access. Legal analysts note that a ruling against the administration would reinforce the principle that the president cannot arbitrarily exclude accredited journalists, while an appeal would likely extend the legal battle into the coming months.