Politics
NewsOnScale Staff
October 13, 2026
The Justice Department's Antitrust Division is investigating five of the nation's largest television networks — ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News — for possible antitrust violations.
The investigation was triggered by the networks' response to Trump's decision to ban CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House access. After those three outlets were barred, the remaining five networks agreed not to substitute for CNN on days when the administration blocked the network from covering events.
That coordinated response is the basis of the antitrust probe. The DOJ's Antitrust Division stated: "The Antitrust Division is investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws."
The move drew immediate criticism from press freedom advocates.
"Trump may view the presidency as a business venture, but news outlets standing up for their constitutional rights has nothing to do with antitrust law," one press rights organization said.
The context
Trump banned CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House last month after characterizing their coverage as unfairly negative. The three organizations sued in federal court to have their access restored. While that lawsuit is pending, the other five networks agreed to stand in solidarity by not providing substitute coverage on days CNN was blocked.
As a result of the CNN ban, none of the five networks covered a White House event with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This is not Trump's first use of regulatory and legal pressure against media organizations. He has frequently called for ABC and NBC to lose their broadcast licenses. Disney called the review of ABC's licenses retaliation over content Trump doesn't like on The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live. ABC and CBS previously settled separate lawsuits Trump brought against them as an individual.
What this means
Using the Antitrust Division to investigate news organizations for coordinating in response to a government crackdown on press access sets a precedent without parallel in modern American history.
Antitrust law was designed to prevent businesses from colluding to harm consumers or competitors. Applying it to news organizations standing together in defense of First Amendment press rights is a fundamentally different use of the statute — one that legal scholars and press freedom groups argue has no legitimate basis.
The investigation comes three weeks before midterm elections in which press coverage of the Trump administration is a central factor.
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