It didn’t take long for the pearl-clutching and tantrums to start. How DARE President Trump and the White House boot CNN, Politico, and MS NOW “journalists” from the Oval Office??!!

President Trump claimed in an unprecedented announcement Friday that he was banning CNN, MS Now and Politico journalists from the White House “effective immediately” for allegedly reporting “Fake News.”

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he wanted the ban to “go as far as you can,” though the practical effect was not immediately clear.

Reporters from all three outlets remained on the White House grounds as of Friday evening. Any ban, if imposed, would trigger First Amendment litigation.

Let’s talk about that First Amendment shall we? It absolutely guarantees the freedom of the press. What it does not provide, guarantee, or give permission to is access if someone says …NO. Furthermore, access should not be expected just because you are the media.

Freedom of the press gives the media the freedom to report news, hopefully FACTUALLY. As we’ve seen for decades now, and especially during these last 12 years, the media goes forth with an agenda first and the news combined with facts last. That was glaringly apparent during the Covid crap. Yes, I’m looking at you Jake Tapper, all of CNN, Politico and MS Now. Furthermore all three of those outlets were totally complicit in covering up Joe Biden’s incapacity.

Politico responds to Trump's claim about "banning" the news outlet:

"POLITICO will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones. We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.

The claims that POLITICO received…

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 18, 2026

It was super duper fair for Politico to hide Joe’s problems during his Presidency. The book written afterwards that says, ‘oh wait, we knew all the time, but now the story can be told’ is a prime example why the media has taken the First Amendment and turned it into trash.

Never mind that. How dare Trump boot all the norms to the curb. It just is NOT done.

The White House has for more than a century opened its doors to journalists, many of whom work from dedicated office space near the briefing room each day. While journalists and presidential administrations constantly spar, Trump has been nearly alone in trying to oust reporters and their news organizations from the White House grounds.

Trump has repeatedly feuded with news organizations and at times has tried to ban them and their journalists from White House grounds or certain presidential events.

In February 2025, he banned the Associated Press from events in the Oval Office and Air Force One, among other spaces, over the news outlet and grammatical standard-bearer’s refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” to describe the Gulf of Mexico. The AP is challenging the case in court.

During Trump’s first administration, he banned CNN reporter Jim Acosta and later Playboy reporter Brian Karem from the White House, though both were allowed back after they sued the government.

Well, as we know, Jim “mirror boy” Acosta brought his ban upon himself. As did Brian Karem for acting like a total ass.

Again, for all of those in the cheap seats, just because you are a member of the media does NOT mean access whether anyone likes it or not.

Freedom of the Press means freedom to report, write, bloviate, without the government telling you NO.

This move isn’t Trump saying no. He’s just saying they no longer get access.

WE ARE THE MEDIA!! First Amendment because reasons! That’s been their rallying cry for everything. Intrude on people’s pain? First Amendment! Hide inconvenient truths that might expose Democrats? That’s how the media rolls. Called out by ordinary Americans and Republican politicians? They scurry to hide themselves behind the First Amendment.

The WHCA issued a statement. 

The president said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a “ban on the free press.”

The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.

This is about more than the rights of journalists. It is about the right of the American people to receive a full and independent account of the activities, policies and decisions of whoever occupies the nation’s highest office.

The WHCA stands in defense of our colleagues at CNN, MSNOW, and Politico who are being singled out for doing their jobs.

– Jacqui Heinrich, WHCA President

Guess what Jacqui? You should know better. Banning access isn’t the same as banning the press.

Again, freedom of the press DOES NOT mean guaranteed access.

Look at Jake, all so super serious, fresh off his fly fishing vacay with his pal Gavin.

I’ll just leave everyone with this.

https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2101045653518389443

And no one in the media asked about the Easter Bunny herding Joe around.

Freedom of the Press does not and never has meant access on demand. Today’s “media” has never learned that salient fact.

Feature Photo Credit: reporter with press pass via iStock, cropped and modified