On Monday, September 21, 2026, major US television networks announced their decision to suspend their participation in the presidential coverage pool, in support of CNN, which was recently barred from covering the White House by the Trump administration. The networks, including CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox, cited the importance of independent information for the public and expressed concern over the restriction of media access. This move comes after CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, were excluded from White House coverage by President Donald Trump.
The presidential coverage pool operates on a rotational basis among the five member networks, which film presidential activities and make the footage available to other media outlets. With CNN originally scheduled to cover the pool on Monday, the networks decided to suspend their coverage of Trump events that fall under the pool's purview. According to Bryan Boughton, a representative of Fox and organizer of the pool, the networks will no longer provide coverage of Trump events.
The decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House coverage was made by President Trump, who accused these media outlets of spreading "fake news." The three media outlets have since filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to contest their exclusion from the White House. The networks' decision to suspend their coverage is seen as a show of support for CNN and a stand against the restriction of media access.
The suspension of the presidential coverage pool comes at a significant time, as President Trump is set to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The move highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and certain media outlets. The administration's decision to restrict media access has raised concerns about the impact on the public's right to information.
In a joint statement, the five member networks emphasized the importance of independent information for the public and expressed concern over the restriction of media access. They stressed that no administration should limit access to a media outlet due to its coverage. The networks' decision to suspend their coverage is seen as a rare show of unity among major US television networks.
The Trump administration's decision to exclude certain media outlets from White House coverage has sparked widespread criticism. The move is seen as an attempt to restrict the flow of information and limit scrutiny of the administration's actions. The lawsuits filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico will likely be closely watched, as they challenge the administration's authority to restrict media access.
The suspension of the presidential coverage pool is likely to have significant implications for the public's access to information about the Trump administration. The move highlights the ongoing tensions between the administration and certain media outlets, and raises questions about the future of media access to the White House.
Key points
- US TV networks suspend coverage of President Trump in support of CNN
- The suspension is in response to the Trump administration's exclusion of CNN from White House coverage
- The move highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and certain media outlets
