Fact Check: Has the White House put a permanent ban on CNN?

WASINGTON, DC: After President Donald Trump lashed out at a CNN journalist during a recent press conference, a claim has been circulating on social media that a senior administration official announced sweeping action against the media outlet’s ability to report on government activities. Let us analyse and fact-check the claims.

Claim: White House permanently banned CNN

According to the rumor that began circulating last month, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced a permanent ban on CNN, accusing it of being a radical left propaganda machine. 

A post on X with more than 140000 views read, “BREAKING BOMBSHELL: WHITE HOUSE JUST APPROVED PERMANENT BAN ON CNN – THEY'RE DONE! Karoline Leavitt UNLEASHES: "CNN ISN'T NEWS, IT'S PURE RADICAL LEFTIST PROPAGANDA BRAINWASHING MACHINE!”

Different variations of the rumor spread on other X accounts, including Facebook.

Fact Check: False claim, it originated from a satire account 

Although Trump has denied CNN access on multiple occasions, there is no evidence that the White House has imposed a permanent ban on the outlet. There is also no evidence to support the claim that Leavitt has explicitly stated that the network was a brainwashing machine.

There are also no reports about the ban being covered by any news media outlets, including CNN.

Moreover, the claim originated from a Facebook account named America's Last Line Of Defense (ALLOD), a handle that describes itself as humorous or satirical.

The original post featured a watermark declaring the claim ‘satire,’ and the account's bio states: "Nothing on this page is real."

ALLOD has a history of making up stories for the sake of engagement, often relying on artificial-intelligence (AI) writing software to do its storytelling.

Donald Trump lashes out at CNN reporter

The rumor emerged after Trump lashed out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins during a tense press conference, calling her the 'worst reporter' and accusing her of hurting the network’s ratings.

He also scolded Collins for not 'smiling enough'.

The tense exchange between Trump and Collins began as she pressed him with questions about Jeffrey Epstein.

When Trump tried to end the confrontation, saying, “I think it’s time, now, for the country maybe to get on to something else,” Collins asked, “But what would you say to people who feel they haven’t gotten justice, Mr president?”

An irritated Trump shot back, “What did you say?” He then launched into a personal attack on Collins, whom he has repeatedly criticized during both of his terms.

“What would you say to the survivors who feel that they haven’t gotten justice?” Collins asked again.

“You know, you are the worst reporter,” Trump said disdainfully. Turning to Republican lawmakers around his desk, he added, “She’s a young woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. I’ve known you for ten years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”