Trump is bracing to lose his latest fight with the press

President Donald Trump appeared before reporters in the Oval Office on September 18, 2026, amid his ongoing legal battle over a press ban. A hearing on the ban concluded without a ruling, indicating that the decision will be determined shortly. Judge Timothy Kelly, who is presiding over the case, expressed skepticism towards the administration's arguments for excluding CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House grounds.

The judge promised to make a ruling "as soon as possible." Trump's case appears weak, as the administration's justification for the ban involved claims that the outlets' reporting endangered national security. However, Trump himself indirectly admitted to targeting these organizations due to their negative and inaccurate coverage, which did not sit well with some expected supporters.

Notably, Fox News was among the outlets boycotting White House events due to the ban. Trump has escalated his attacks on the media in his second term by weaponizing seemingly neutral policies and regulatory agencies. He controls the press pool, which comprises rotating reporters accompanying the president, and has sought to exclude disfavored organizations.

Additionally, Trump has enlisted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to target media outlets that air coverage and commentary he disagrees with, even threatening to revoke the licenses of local TV stations airing such content. This approach is not unique to Trump, as former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin have also employed similar tactics to suppress independent media.

Despite the grim comparisons, the US still enjoys certain protections, such as an independent court system, that can help safeguard press freedoms.