Trump bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House press pool

US President Donald Trump announces he's banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House because of what he frames as unfavourable coverage and "fake news," threatening more such prohibitions could follow.

Trump takes to social media to announce his immediate ban on the three major news organisations from covering his administration, and accuses them of constantly fabricating stories.

It is the latest salvo in the president's long-running feud with the free press that raises profound First Amendment questions.

This follows his move last year to keep Associated Press reporters out of the Oval Office, Air Force One and other events in retaliation for its decision not to follow his lead in changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico.

When he is asked to explain his statement on Friday, Trump replies it's because the networks report "fake news," and remarks that's why CNN's ratings "are no good."

Trump says there's no specific incident that prompted his ban. "It's just cumulative stories over the past few years," he says.

(Reporter: On the three news outlets, sir, what does that mean in practice? Are you taking away their badges? Are you banning them from the pool? Are you getting them from your office? What does that mean?)

Trump says: "A very simple ban. I don't want them in my office. I don't want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can. And if they could straighten themselves out, you know, if they can straighten themselves, I'd love it. Look, they're very dishonest people. They write in a very dishonest way."

"So, we are banning them, yes we are, and there may be others to follow."

Trump further refers to the New York Times and Washington Post as what he calls "fake news."

CNN swiftly condemns the announcement, saying it stands behind its White House team and their "fair and accurate reporting."

In a post on X, the company labels the move as an unconstitutional abuse of executive power.

It says in a statement: "Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right."

Politico notes they will "continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones" and vigorously defend their First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.