Major Networks Boycott Trump’s UN Visit Over CNN, MS NOW Ban

Donald Trump’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly will not be covered by the major US television networks on Monday after they joined a boycott over his decision to bar CNN and MS NOW from the White House. Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC—the broadcasters that make up the TV pool—are protesting the White House press restrictions and will not send camera crews or reporters to cover the president’s trip. As a result, Trump’s journey to New York for Monday’s UN meeting will go untelevised on the leading networks. Conservative outlet Real America’s Voice (RAV) plans to stream the event from the UN, while local television operator Hearst will cover the president’s events at the White House. Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton, who chairs the TV pool and oversees the logistics of presidential coverage, confirmed the decision in an email sent Monday morning. “This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President,” Boughton wrote.

“This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.” It remains unclear when the major broadcasters will resume covering the president. CNN had been scheduled to provide the TV pool crew on Monday, before Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Yet the White House’s official daily guidance issued Sunday said there would be no TV pool on Monday, effectively removing CNN’s rotation from the schedule. Trump has also threatened action against The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Trump announced the ban on Friday, labeling the outlets “fake news” and criticizing their coverage of his administration. “It’s about basic fairness,” Vice President JD Vance said of the decision Monday. “They can still report. They still have access to free speech. They’re just not going to get an office in the White House anymore.” When journalists from the banned organizations arrived at the White House to work over the weekend, some had their press credentials revoked. The major broadcasters responded by joining forces with the targeted outlets and issuing a forceful statement condemning the president’s move.

ALSO READ: Inside Trump’s Last-Ditch Bid to Avoid Midterm Defeat as He Refuses to Concede

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” the broadcasters said. “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.” Asked for comment, the White House pointed to a social media post Trump published early Monday. “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” Trump wrote. “It is instituting an assault on the fake news, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America.” He added: “It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, now!”

Although CNN was barred from the White House, its journalists and crew still covered Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he opened the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, indicating that the restriction does not apply to other government departments. CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they would challenge the administration’s decision in court. “This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” the outlets said in a statement released Monday. “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” they continued. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.” US District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, is overseeing the case. He has addressed a similar dispute before: In 2018, Kelly ordered the White House to restore the credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta after his press pass was revoked following a heated exchange with Trump. The White House also posted an enigmatic message on social media Monday showing a television displaying static alongside the words: “Something’s coming. Stay tuned.”