MS NOW, CNN, Politico to sue Trump over White House ban reversal

• The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to immediately restore hard pass press credentials, naming Trump, communications assistant Steven Cheung, Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran as defendants
• The case follows a similar April 2025 ruling where Judge Trevor McFadden (a Trump appointee) found the partial AP ban unconstitutional, stating the government cannot 'shut doors to journalists because of their viewpoints'
• Trump removed CNN from its scheduled White House travel pool rotation for his Monday UN visit, and previously abolished the decades-old wire pool (AP, Bloomberg, Reuters) rather than comply with court access orders

Summary: Media Outlets Sue Trump Over White House Press Ban

Key Development:

MS NOW, CNN, and Politico are filing a joint lawsuit Monday in federal court seeking to overturn President Trump's ban barring their journalists from White House access. The ban took effect Saturday following Trump's Friday announcement via Truth Social.

Legal Basis:

The lawsuit argues the ban represents "a direct assault on the First Amendment" and violates constitutional protections. Plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order to restore their hard pass press credentials immediately. Defendants include Trump, communications assistant Steven Cheung, Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran.

Immediate Impact:

• Journalists from the three outlets were blocked from White House entry Saturday
• CNN was removed from the White House travel pool rotation Sunday for Trump's Monday UN General Assembly visit in New York
• Trump warned "Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow," suggesting potential expansion of the ban

Legal Precedent:

The Associated Press has a pending lawsuit over a February 2025 partial ban related to refusing to use Trump's "Gulf of America" terminology. In April 2025, Judge Trevor McFadden (Trump appointee) ruled the AP ban violated the First Amendment, stating the government "cannot shut doors to journalists because of their viewpoints." A three-judge appeals panel (2-1 vote, June 2025) stayed that ruling pending Trump's appeal; oral arguments occurred in November with no decision yet issued.

Market Context:

CNBC and MS NOW are divisions of Versant Media, representing a disclosure of corporate interest in the litigation outcome.

Administration Response:

Trump acknowledged the ban may not survive legal challenge but said "it's good to point it out, whether it survives or doesn't."