Trump Bans CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House

President Donald Trump announced Friday that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico will be banned from the White House, citing their reporting as "fake news."

"I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW ... and Politico ... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump elaborated on the ban while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, stating that the decision was made due to "cumulative stories" published by the three outlets over the years. "You get sick of it," he said.

CNN has historically been part of a rotating pool of five networks, including Fox News, that travel with the president. CNN was scheduled to lead network pool coverage for an upcoming event at the United Nations General Assembly.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Republican Governor of Arkansas and former White House Press Secretary under Trump, defended the president's action. "I think it's hard for you to argue against a free press when you're literally standing in the Oval Office asking questions of the president of the United States," Sanders told reporters. "He has been more accessible and easier to talk to than any president in history."

Trump denied that the ban was intended to intimidate the press, stating, "I don't think that a court should allow fake news to be written day, after day, after day. I think that somebody has a right to keep them away."

A senior White House official informed Fox News that journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would be barred from White House grounds starting Saturday. CNN and Politico released statements asserting their commitment to fair reporting and defending their First Amendment rights.

"CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting," the network said. "We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."

Politico stated, "Politico will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones. We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them."

A spokesperson for MS NOW declined to comment.