Major television networks halted pooled coverage after the White House prevented CNN from serving its scheduled turn in the rotating television pool.
Fox News, ABC News, CBS News and NBC News joined CNN in suspending television pool coverage of President Trump after the White House prevented CNN from fulfilling its scheduled pool assignment.
The television networks traditionally rotate responsibility for providing video and other material from presidential events to the broader press corps.
CNN was scheduled to handle the television pool Monday. After the White House blocked CNN from carrying out that assignment, the networks declined to provide a replacement television pool.
The networks said the public has an interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government and argued that an administration should not restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.
The dispute follows the White House’s decision to revoke access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Those organizations have filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the restrictions violate their First and Fifth Amendment rights.
President Trump has defended the restrictions and accused the outlets of unfair and inaccurate coverage. The White House maintains that access to White House grounds is a privilege rather than an unrestricted right.
Sources
Fox News, Sept. 21, 2026; Associated Press, Sept. 21–22, 2026.
