Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to block CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House during an appearance Friday at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he addressed a crowd of roughly 4,000 people.
Obama spoke for about an hour during a conversation that covered democracy, leadership and artificial intelligence.
During the event, he turned [1] to the Trump administration’s decision to revoke White House access for the three media organizations.
Trump announced the decision Friday, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of repeatedly reporting what he described as “FAKE NEWS.”
Obama used Fox News as an example while questioning the decision.
“My imagination could not foresee some of the stuff that’s going on right now. I believe there was an announcement that the White House just decided…You know, CNN, MSNOW, you can’t just come to the White House press briefings anymore. Because you’re (laughing) giving the president unfavorable coverage. I’m trying to think what would have happened if I had said, “You know what, Fox News, you’re out of here!” It’s unimaginable!” Obama said.
The remarks drew responses on X from users who pointed to the Obama administration’s own history with Fox News.
During Obama’s first term, his administration attempted to exclude Fox News from a pool interview with Treasury Department official Kenneth Feinberg. The other television networks involved in the pool objected and refused to participate unless Fox News was included.
Critics also pointed to controversies involving the Obama administration and journalists as they challenged the former president’s comparison.
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Obama’s comments came after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be permitted access to the White House. The president revealed the move in a Truth Social post Friday.
“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them “alive.”),” Trump said.
Trump also warned that other media organizations he considers fake news could face similar treatment.
The decision quickly moved beyond an announcement.
Journalists representing the affected organizations were denied access to the White House after the policy took effect.
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Obama used the development as part of his broader remarks about democracy and political leadership.
His Fox News comparison, however, became a point of contention because of his administration’s previous dispute with the network.
The 2009 episode involved the Treasury Department attempting to make Feinberg available for interviews with members of the television network pool while excluding Fox News.
True – so Obama just did it covertly – spied on press, spied on candidate Trump, used IRS to target conservative press & individuals and illegally set in motion efforts within the government to stop President Trump when he assumed office
Obama was the most lawless and dangerous…
— Retired Investor (@CommunityBnkInv) September 20, 2026 [2]
The other networks resisted the exclusion, resulting in Fox News being included.
That history resurfaced after Obama suggested that removing Fox News from White House access during his presidency would have been “unimaginable.”
Trump, meanwhile, made clear in his announcement that his decision was based on his view of the three outlets’ coverage.
The president specifically named CNN, MS NOW and Politico while announcing the immediate ban and indicated that the list might expand.
Obama’s remarks at Colgate placed him among the prominent critics of the move.
He framed the decision as something he could not have imagined happening during his own presidency and used Fox News to make that point.
The response online focused heavily on the contrast between Obama’s statement and his administration’s previous attempt to exclude Fox News from the Feinberg interview.
Remember when Obama spied on reporters and tapped their phones?
Remember when Obama used the Espionage act to arrest media sources and whistleblowers?
This was more than ALL PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS COMBINED. pic.twitter.com/6zxgANpJqk [4]
— The Constitutional Conservative (@TheCCShowcast) September 19, 2026 [5]
Trump’s decision has now created another confrontation between the White House and major national media organizations, with CNN, MS NOW and Politico barred from access after the president’s Friday announcement.