United States President Donald Trump has explained his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three media organisations of repeatedly publishing what he described as false reports about his administration.

Trump announced the restriction on Friday, September 18, saying the ban was based on what he described as the outlets’ cumulative coverage of his presidency and the US government.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said there was no single report that triggered the decision, describing it instead as the result of stories published over a period of time.

Trump also indicated that other media organisations could face similar restrictions. He mentioned The New York Times and The Washington Post while responding to questions about which outlets could potentially be affected next.

The President separately criticised Politico over an $8 million government subscription that he claimed was paid during the administration of former President Joe Biden. Trump characterised the payment as improper and linked it to his broader criticism of the publication.

The White House restrictions took effect on Saturday, with reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico denied access to the White House grounds and some journalists having their press credentials deactivated or confiscated.

The affected media organisations have rejected Trump’s characterisation of their reporting and said they would continue covering his administration.

CNN said it stood behind its White House reporting team and maintained that journalists have a constitutional right to report without government interference. MS NOW also said it would take steps to defend what it described as its First Amendment rights.

Politico similarly said it would continue reporting on the White House and defend its journalists’ rights.

The action has also drawn attention from press-freedom advocates and legal experts, who have questioned whether a broad exclusion of news organisations from White House facilities could withstand constitutional challenges.

The exact legal scope of the restrictions remains subject to potential court challenges, particularly regarding access to generally available White House press facilities and credentials.

For now, CNN, MS NOW and Politico have indicated that they will continue their coverage of the Trump administration despite the restrictions.