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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Business
Jeremy Barr in Washington

Trump made ‘clear’ that media ban was due to critical coverage, court told

the CNN logo is posted on a small office room
The CNN booth at the White House after Donald Trump announced he would ban CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House in Washington DC on 18 September 2026. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Reuters

Donald Trump continues to be the strongest witness for the media companies arguing that they were unfairly barred from the White House at his direction, a lawyer representing CNN, MS Now and Politico told a federal judge on Thursday afternoon.

The media coalition was in court asking the judge to extend the temporary restraining order (TRO) he issued on 24 September requiring the White House to lift the ban for 14 days. That temporary reprieve was scheduled to expire on Thursday, but district court judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, said he would extend it until Tuesday and that he would probably rule on a motion for a preliminary injunction by that day. That means the White House will be forced to allow journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico to continue accessing the building until at least Tuesday.

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