MS NOW journalists denied White House access after Trump ban

Two MS NOW journalists were turned away from the White House on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump said he was barring the outlet, along with CNN and Politico, over what he called “FAKE NEWS.”

CBS News observed MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner and a cameraman being denied entry around 8 a.m. Saturday after their hard passes were revoked. Gardner said on air that her badge did not work when she tried to enter the White House grounds.

“The officer asked me to hand over my badge,” Gardner said. “He said that it was disabled. I asked why I was not able to get inside. He said it was above him.”

Gardner said an MS NOW photographer was also denied access, while one of the network’s producers was allowed onto the grounds. NBC News reported it was not immediately clear why their access differed. CNN and Politico reporters have not been seen being barred from the White House, CBS News reported, and all three outlets continued reporting from the White House on Friday after Trump’s announcement.

MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, said it would fight the action.

“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars,” the outlet said in a statement posted on X. “MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalists in our democracy.”

Trump announced the ban Friday afternoon on Truth Social, saying the outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States.” He said he was “tired of reading and seeing fake news” from the outlets and told another reporter that he dislikes “dishonest press.” He also warned that “other outlets” would “follow,” but did not identify them.

Asked in the Oval Office about the decision, Trump said the policy was the result of “cumulative stories over the last few years.” He did not cite a specific report. The White House declined further comment to CBS News and NBC News, referring both outlets to Trump’s remarks.

CNN and Politico issued statements Friday defending their journalists. “CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting,” the network said.

Politico Press, the publication’s communications team, said Trump’s claims that Politico “received government subsidies are false and have been thoroughly debunked.” It added: “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.”

White House Correspondents’ Association President Jacqui Heinrich, a Fox News reporter, called the move a constitutional violation. “The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference,” Heinrich said. “That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.” She said the association “stands in defense of our colleagues at CNN, MS NOW, and Politico who are being singled out for doing their jobs.”

Former President Barack Obama criticized the restriction during a Friday appearance at Colgate University, according to NBC News, which obtained audio. “I’m trying to think what would have happened if I had said, ‘You know what? Fox News, you’re out of here,’” Obama said. “It’s unimaginable.”

The dispute follows earlier clashes between Trump and news organizations over White House access. Last year, the administration moved to bar The Associated Press from White House coverage after the outlet refused to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” The AP sued on First Amendment grounds. In April 2025, a federal judge ruled the White House must restore the AP’s access to presidential spaces, though a federal appeals court allowed the administration to temporarily bar the AP from smaller restricted spaces while the case continues.

During Trump’s first term, the White House also attempted to revoke the press pass of then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after a contentious exchange with Trump. CNN sued, and a federal judge ordered the pass restored.