WASHINGTON (TNND) — MS NOW, CNN, and Politico said its reporters were denied access to the White House on Saturday morning, a day after President Donald Trump said he would ban the network and other news outlets from the building.
MS NOW said its reporter and photojournalist “had their White House press passes confiscated by U.S. Secret Service at a security gate outside the West Wing.”
Akayla Gardner, a reporter for MS NOW, as well as Betsy Klein of CNN, both went live to report they’d been turned away when arriving for their jobs at the White House.
Soon after, Politico said its White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett was also denied entry and had her badge confiscated.
Trump announced the move on Friday in a Truth Social post, noting that he was banning MS NOW, as well as CNN and Politico “effective immediately.”
The president accused the outlets of publishing “fake news” — and said other news organizations will likely face similar restrictions.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them ‘alive.’ Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump wrote.”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. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow,” he added.
Politico Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Greenberger issued a statement to the Politico newsroom on Saturday, saying he stands by his staff, along with all reporters who news at the White House.
“We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights,” he wrote.
MS NOW shared a similar statement, noting that it stands behind its journalists.
This combination of photos shows MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardne, from left, CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein and Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett near the White House complex after all were denied entry to the White House and had credentials confiscated following President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photos/Jose Luis Magana)
“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars,” according to the statement. “MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.”
CNN agreed.
“We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account,” CNN said.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.