All five networks that make up the White House television pool — including Fox News — announced they will stop cooperating with the administration after President Donald Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW (likely MSNBC), and Politico from the White House grounds. The move escalates a media standoff that began earlier Monday when Trump ordered the White House press office closed to a growing list of outlets.
All five White House television pool networks — ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and Fox News — have now formally joined the boycott of coverage of President Donald Trump, escalating a media standoff triggered by the White House's decision to bar reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the building. Fox News, though not directly targeted, joined the unified protest. The pool provides the sole live video feed of most presidential events, meaning Trump may lose the ability to broadcast his appearances live unless he allows the networks back in.
The Zioneer first reported at 16:20 Jerusalem that US television networks had announced a boycott in response to the White House press ban. That initial report indicated that at least one network had signaled a boycott; by the evening, all five pool networks had united in protest.
The developments come against a backdrop of escalating tension between the Trump administration and the press. As The Zioneer reported on September 19, citing Politico, senior administration officials were surprised by Trump's decision to bar journalists from the White House. The Zioneer has also covered previous instances of networks altering coverage of Trump, including NBC and ABC streaming his speech rather than airing it on television (July 17), and a channel ending its coverage of "Trump's craziness" (August 3).
It remains unclear whether the boycott will force the White House to reverse its ban or if alternative coverage arrangements will be made. The unified action by all pool networks, including those aligned with the administration, marks an unprecedented step in presidential press relations.
2 developments
- StrongWhite House launches 24/7 'Trump TV' as major networks refuse to provide alternate press pool, Israeli media report
- DevelopingTrump defends White House press ban as attack on 'fake news'
- StrongWhite House says Trump will not make further press appearances today
- StrongPolitico: Senior aides surprised by Trump's decision to bar journalists from White House
Source and signal
- Open-source intake