President Trump announced on Friday that he would ban MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House, escalating his ongoing conflicts with the news media. The president cited his displeasure with the outlets' coverage of his administration as the reason for the ban, saying, 'There's something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories.' MS NOW reported on Saturday that two of its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds the following morning. Akayla Gardner, a White House correspondent for MS NOW, said her access badge failed to work at the security entrance near the West Wing. 'The officer asked me to hand over my badge; he said that it was disabled,' Ms. Gardner said in an on-air interview.

A photographer for MS NOW was also asked to relinquish their badge, though a producer was allowed entry. MS NOW stated it 'intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.' The White House press office declined to comment on Saturday, referring to Mr. Trump's earlier remarks. Any such prohibition would likely face a legal challenge, as CNN and Politico suggested they would fight a ban in court.

This mirrors a previous legal battle during Mr. Trump's first term when the White House lost after revoking CNN reporter Jim Acosta's press pass.