US President Donald Trump on Friday said CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the outlets of repeatedly publishing what he described as false and negative coverage of his administration. The announcement also raised fresh questions over press access and First Amendment protections in the US.
Trump announced the move on social media, saying it would be "effective immediately" and warning that other outlets could also face restrictions.
Asked later in the Oval Office why he was taking the step now, Trump pointed to what he called the cumulative effect of coverage over several years.
"It's really just cumulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it."
He also named The New York Times and The Washington Post among outlets he considers "fake news", saying the White House might stop displaying copies of the newspapers.
The exact scope of the proposed ban remained unclear. Trump said, "A very simple ban. I don't want them in my office. I don't want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can," when asked how the move would be enforced.
CNN, Politico push back
CNN said it stood behind its White House reporting team and argued that the US Constitution protects its right to report without government interference.
"CNN stands fully behind our White House team and their fair and accurate reporting. We have a right under the US 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," CNN said in a statement.
Politico said it would continue covering the White House and defend its First Amendment rights. The outlet also rejected Trump's claim that it received government subsidies, saying those claims "are false and have been thoroughly debunked."
MS NOW did not immediately comment.
Legal challenge possible
The White House announcement could face a legal challenge. Previous disputes over press access during Trump's administrations have reached federal courts, including cases involving CNN and The Associated Press.
The White House Correspondents' Association also backed the targeted outlets, saying press protections apply regardless of whether a president agrees with an organisation's coverage or questions.
Trump himself acknowledged the possibility that a court could reject the move.
"I think it's good to point it out whether it survives or doesn't."