U.S. television networks halt Trump coverage in revolt over White House ban

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An updated solidarity sign adding CNN, MSNOW and POLITICO hangs outside the Associated Press booth at the White House grounds after U.S. President Donald Trump banned three major news outlets – CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on September 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

U.S. television networks staged revolt on Monday (September 21, 2026) when they effectively boycotted coverage of President Donald Trump in protest at his decision to ban three leading outlets from the White House.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico also went to court after Mr. Trump on Friday (September 18) ordered them to be barred , as the 80-year-old Republican stepped up his years-long assault on the U.S. media.

In a rare move, the top five U.S. broadcasters said on Monday (September 21) that they were halting "pool" coverage of the White House -- where a broadcaster films on behalf of all television outlets for the day -in solidarity with CNN.

CNN had been scheduled to serve on Monday (September 21) as the White House TV pool.

CNN broadcast tents sit vacant at the White House grounds after U.S. President Donald Trump banned three major news outlets – CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, in Washington, D.C., on September 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

"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," ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC said in a statement.

The move means there will be no television coverage of Mr. Trump's trip on Monday to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he was due to meet a series of foreign leaders.

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