Former President Barack Obama criticized President Trump’s decision to block CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from entering the White House. But the example Obama used to make his point quickly turned the criticism back on him.
Obama made the remarks Friday during a conversation at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Roughly 4,000 people attended the event, where he spoke for about an hour about democracy, leadership, and artificial intelligence.
At one point, Obama went off script and addressed what he described as the Trump administration’s decision to confiscate the press passes of the three outlets. He questioned how one president could bar media organizations over unfavorable coverage, then offered this comparison: “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!”
C-SPAN posted video of Obama’s remarks:
The response on X focused heavily on the irony. Critics pointed to Obama’s own clashes with Fox News during his first term, along with allegations involving his administration’s treatment of reporters and media sources.
One post argued that Obama’s administration had effectively done something similar behind the scenes. The commenter cited the administration’s treatment of the press, its handling of reporting involving then-candidate Trump, and claims that conservative media and individuals were targeted.
Another reaction dismissed Obama’s criticism and suggested his comments did not match his own record.
A separate post highlighted the 2009 dispute, claiming Obama tried to cut Fox News off within the first six months of his first term.
Another commenter called Obama’s complaint especially rich coming from him and attached a reaction image.
One longer response argued that the Obama administration treated Fox News more like a political opponent than a news organization. The post said administration officials portrayed the network as aligned with the Republican Party and skipped it for some presidential interviews, including appearances on Sunday programs.
Other responses argued that Fox News was targeted because its coverage did not follow the administration’s preferred line and returned to the 2009 dispute.
The final reaction revived allegations about surveillance of reporters, phone tapping, and the use of the Espionage Act against media sources and whistleblowers. Those claims became part of the broader argument that Obama’s criticism of Trump was inconsistent.
The dispute began with Trump’s Friday announcement on Truth Social. Trump said CNN, MSNOW, and Politico were being banned from the White House because they repeatedly reported what he called “FAKE NEWS.” He also warned that other media outlets could be next.
Trump’s announcement criticized MSNOW’s name change from MSNBC and pointed to an $8 million government subscription made under Joe Biden. He described that arrangement as money intended to keep the outlet alive. The Gateway Pundit report said Trump’s decision will almost certainly trigger a legal battle.
Obama’s remarks were intended to highlight what he viewed as an alarming change in White House media access. Instead, the Fox News reference gave critics a direct opening. They used it to argue that the former president’s own record made his warning about press bans less convincing.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
Former President Barack Obama on President Trump's White House press ban: "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!" pic.twitter.com/R1pmoVasEz
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 20, 2026