U.S. Television Networks Stop Trump Coverage to Protest White House Ban

Major U.S. television networks stopped covering President Donald Trump on Monday, September 21, 2026, to protest his decision to ban three news organisations from the White House.

The Ban and Court Action

President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico on Friday, September 18. In response, these three media outlets went to court against the ban by the 80-year-old Republican leader.

Network Boycott and Statement

The top five U.S. broadcasters halted their shared pool coverage of the White House on Monday to support CNN. ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC stated that the public needs accurate and independent information, and no government should restrict a news company because of its reports. CNN was supposed to run the White House TV pool on Monday.

Impact on UN General Assembly Trip

This boycott meant there was no television coverage for President Trump's trip on Monday to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he planned to meet several foreign leaders.