Donald Trump is currently locked in an acrimonious battle with the presidential press pool after he banned three major outlets, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, from covering the White House. In response, they and other press outlets have announced a mass boycott of the White House press pool.
In a joint statement yesterday, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News confirmed that as long as the ban on the colleagues remains in place, they will not be providing coverage of White House events, with their statement underlining “the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” and arguing, “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
Trump is now facing a lawsuit from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico arguing that the ban violates the First Amendment. However, before that’s decided, the consequences of the press pool boycott have already become apparent.
“Backfiring just a little bit”
Newsmax was reporting on a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new helipad at the White House, though Trump’s words were inaudible due to the absence of any microphones to pick up and record what he was saying:
LMFAO — Trump is holding an event at the White House right now but there's no audio because the press pool isn't there. The Newsmax host notes that this is an example of Trump's attacks on the press "backfiring just a little bit" pic.twitter.com/dAy1dvDvFL
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 21, 2026
As the Newsmax host pointed out, “Okay, so there is no microphone because the pool cameras aren’t there. So maybe this is an example of it backfiring just a little bit.” She pointed out that “obviously the ramifications are right here – can’t hear what the president is saying.”
The Trump boycott doesn’t just extend to White House events. Trump is due to speak at the UN General Assembly later today, but the boycott means major networks won’t carry the speech. Trump’s words will still be reported via the UN itself and the Associated Press, though it seems the major networks are serious about this standoff.
Launched.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 22, 2026
All the top hits, wins, + more. Streaming 24/7 on your phone or tv.
📺 https://t.co/3KwWkBZ69m pic.twitter.com/oIPfUA0Np9
In apparent retaliation, Trump has now unveiled “TrumpTV”, a continuous video stream run by the White House that promises to deliver a rolling “greatest hits” of the Trump administration, video clips the administration claims mainstream media ignored, and presidential speeches.
The White House says this stream will allow them to bypass conventional news and give Americans the “truth” as per the Trump administration. Critics have countered that this is state propaganda and more like something you’d expect from North Korea than the United States of America.
As of writing, the news boycott remains in place, and the lawsuit by the various press outlets has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who ruled on a previous case involving the White House banning former CNN reporter Jim Acosta during Trump’s first term.
