The Justice Department said it was investigating whether the White House press corps’ decision violated antitrust laws.
Published October 11, 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into a television network’s decision to suspend coverage of President Donald Trump last month.
The agency is investigating whether the networks violated federal antitrust laws in their boycotts that followed the White House’s decision to strip reporters from three news organizations, including CNN, a spokesperson said Saturday.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Convington said the networks being investigated include ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News.
Regarding antitrust laws, he said, “Collective boycotts among commercial competitors may violate the Sherman Act.”
“The Antitrust Division is only investigating these media outlets to determine whether they violated antitrust laws.”
The investigation is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and major news organizations. President Trump has repeatedly referred to mainstream media as “fake news” and frequently clashes with reporters when he interacts with them.
The measure would also put legal and potentially financial pressure on media outlets to continue reporting on the president even if they disagree with the White House’s response.
The networks did not immediately comment on the announcement.
The Justice Department’s move comes after the administration banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, and a group of five networks ceased reporting on the president last month.
The White House said on September 19 that interviewing the president is a “privilege, not a right.” The news organizations sued the administration, alleging that the exclusions violated the First Amendment and that the White House was retaliating over their reporting.
CNN is one of five news organizations that make up the White House’s main television pool, along with ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC.
They split the cost of covering the president, taking turns planning the interviews and sharing the footage with news organizations across the country.
All five television networks broadcasting the White House, including Fox News, jointly suspended coverage and refused to provide alternative coverage.
The White House reinstated eligibility on Sept. 24 after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered the government to “immediately return, reinstate and restore” access.
However, disputes over access to certain presidential events and pool allocation continued.
Committee to Protect Journalists’ Americas director Jose Zamora on Saturday criticized the administration’s decision to conduct an investigation.
“The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news organizations that defend media access,” Zamora said in X. “The public’s right to know depends on that access.”
