Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are being “immediately” banned from the White House, accusing them of repeatedly publishing false reports about his administration without citing specific examples. The decision has prompted condemnation from the affected organisations and the White House Correspondents’ Association, which say it threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent reporting.

The practical scope of the proposed ban remains unclear, and journalists from CNN and Politico were still present on White House grounds shortly afterwards. CNN and Politico have vowed to defend their First Amendment rights, while Trump acknowledged that legal challenges could follow and suggested other outlets might also be targeted; the move follows months of tensions over White House press access and the administration’s efforts to reshape the press corps.