Americast, Has Trump’s ban against the media backfired?

Americast

Has Trump’s ban against the media backfired?

25 September 2026

Available for over a year

The US president has lost his court battle with CNN, Politico and MS NOW in the latest battle between Donald Trump and the media. What did the judge say and what happens next?

At the end of the last week Donald Trump banned three news outlets - CNN, Politico and MS Now - from reporting inside the White House. But the ban has been overturned - for now - in an emergency hearing by a federal judge, who ordered the banned journalists’ press credentials be immediately reinstated for 14 days.

It’s still not entirely clear what prompted Donald Trump to punish the outlets although it’s been reported that it may have been prompted by negative coverage he was shown by his aide, Natalie Harp.

In this episode, Justin, Anthony and Marianna speak to former CNN correspondent, anchor and bureau chief Frank Sesno, who is now a Journalism professor at The George Washington School of Media and Public Affairs. The latest row comes at a difficult moment for the president who’s fighting historically low approval ratings and an unpopular war in Iran. It’s yet to be seen what the president will do next after the judgement or if it’s a sign of growing pressure ahead of November’s midterm elections.

HOSTS:

• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

GUEST:

Frank Sesno, former White House Correspondent, anchor and Washington Bureau Chief for CNN. Director of Strategic Initiatives at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs.

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This episode was made by George Dabby with Nik Sindle and Keiligh Baker. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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