The rumor gained traction online following Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from the White House on Friday, September 18.
WASHINGTON, DC: In the wake of President Donald Trump barring CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House grounds, social media users began spreading a rumor that former President Barack Obama had previously attempted a similar ban against Fox News. The assertion quickly generated online debate, with many demanding a thorough verification of the facts.
The Rumor: Did Obama try to lock Fox News out of the White House?
As news of Trump‘s media restriction broke, conservative commentators and supporters on social media pointed to history, alleging that Obama tried to ban Fox News during his initial presidential term.
These claims circulated widely across multiple platforms, often accompanied by criticism accusing Democrats and liberals of double standards for remaining silent during the alleged past incident.
While a significant portion of online users accepted the claim at face value, others expressed doubt and called for an investigation into its historical accuracy.
Fact Check: The allegation is misleading
Ultimately, the claim lacks factual backing. There is no record of the Obama administration ever issuing a ban against the conservative network from the White House complex.
The origin of the narrative dates back to October 2009, a period marked by deep tension between the Obama administration and Fox News, with officials frequently criticizing the channel as an extension of the Republican Party.
The friction peaked on October 22, 2009, when the Treasury Department briefly sought to exclude a Fox News correspondent from a coordinated press pool interview regarding TARP executive compensation.
Consequently, Obama never actually banned Fox News. Instead, administration officials attempted to block the network from a single interview for a brief period—a restriction that was swiftly reversed following pushback from other prominent media organizations, including CNN.
Trump restricts CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House access
The internet debate was triggered when Trump announced on Friday, September 18, that journalists representing CNN, Politico, and MS NOW would have their White House press credentials revoked due to what he called “Fake News” reporting, while also cautioning that other networks could face identical measures.
Utilizing his Truth Social platform, the president stated, “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW … and Politico … from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!”
Elaborating on the decision during an Oval Office gathering, Trump told reporters, “Because they’re fake news. You get so tired of reading and seeing fake news. When you look at CNN, it’s just fake. That’s why their ratings are no good. When you look at MS NOW…, it’s fake news.”