Major U.S. television networks have suspended their shared White House coverage of President Donald Trump after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The decision affects the rotating television press pool that provides live video coverage of presidential events to multiple news organizations.
ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC are members of the White House television pool. Under the long-standing system, the networks take turns covering Trump’s events and distribute the footage to other media outlets. CNN was scheduled to handle the pool assignment on Monday, but the White House prevented the network from carrying out its duties. The other networks decided not to provide a replacement crew.
In a joint statement, the five networks said the public has an important interest in receiving independent information about the government and argued that news organizations should not be restricted because of their reporting.
Trump had announced the ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico after accusing them of publishing what he described as “fake news.” The three organizations have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to restore their access to the White House, arguing that the restrictions violate constitutional protections for the press.
The suspension does not mean the networks have stopped reporting about Trump altogether. Rather, it concerns the shared television pool covering presidential events. Other government coverage and independent reporting by the networks continue.
