US TV networks halt White House pool coverage after Trump bans

On September 21, 2026, major American television networks suspended their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump following the White House's decision to bar CNN from participating. The networks - ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News and CNN - released a joint statement expressing concern over the administration's attempt to restrict independent reporting.

They emphasized the public's right to receive accurate, unbiased information about its government and stated that no administration should limit a news organization simply because it disagrees with its reporting. The suspension of CNN's White House pool coverage means there will be no television crew accompanying Trump on his UN General Assembly speech in New York on Tuesday.

CNN, along with MSNBC and Politico, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the removal of their journalists' access violated their First Amendment rights, which protect freedom of the press. The lawsuit seeks an expedited hearing before a federal court in Washington. The White House, however, maintains that the First Amendment protects media's right to publish material, but it does not guarantee a pass, briefing room seat or spot in the press pool.

The networks' decision to suspend coverage is part of a series of escalations in Trump's contentious relationship with the media, which has included direct engagement with journalists and accusations that certain outlets are "fake news" or a "threat to national security."