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Reporters from three major news organizations — MS NOW, CNN, and Politico — were blocked from entering the White House on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced on social media that he had banned the outlets for what he described as spreading “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS.” The move quickly drew accusations of unconstitutionality and sparked a broader debate about press freedom in the United States.
White House Press Ban Draws Legal Warnings
MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner arrived Saturday morning and found her White House badge no longer worked. Security then asked her to surrender it. Later, CNN’s Betsy Klein attempted to enter the grounds and was turned away. Politico’s Cheyenne Haslett faced the same outcome.
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Legal experts responded sharply. Jameel Jaffer, director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, told NBC News the ban was “pretty clearly unconstitutional.” He also predicted that any legal challenge to the decision would succeed.
Meanwhile, multiple current and former senior White House staff members told NBC News they had no advance knowledge of Trump’s plan. None said they were aware of the ban before it happened.
On Sunday, Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, downplayed the constitutional concerns on NBC’s Meet the Press. Asked directly whether Trump had violated the Constitution, Barrasso said, “No, I believe the press has an obligation to report fairly.” When pressed further, he added, “We all respect and value the freedom of the press — it’s in the Constitution.”
Ed Sheeran Addresses Gaza at First Concert Since Macklemore Controversy
Ed Sheeran spoke publicly about the conflict in Gaza during his concert Saturday in Philadelphia. The show marked his first performance since artist Macklemore was removed as an opening act, a decision that had generated significant controversy.
Sheeran described the October 7 attacks on Israel as “horrific.” However, he also called the situation facing civilians in Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” He acknowledged that some of his own decisions had been mistakes and offered an apology to fans.
Despite the controversy, Sheeran confirmed he would continue the tour to honor his commitment to his audience. Outside the stadium, dozens of protesters gathered for a pro-Palestinian demonstration before the show. One attendee told NBC News he was there to oppose what he called “an unjustifiable attempt to squelch free speech,” referring to Macklemore’s removal. Not everyone shared that concern, however. “You’re here to see the headliner, not really so much the opening act,” one concertgoer said.
AI Experts Warn of Catastrophic Risk
A growing number of artificial intelligence researchers are warning that advanced AI systems could pose serious dangers to humanity. In interviews, AI analysts, military technology researchers, and biologists studying AI-related risks all said these concerns are not science fiction.
Experts warn that individuals or state-backed actors could soon use AI to cause large-scale harm. Furthermore, AI safety researchers predict that self-improving AI systems — which some AI leaders say could emerge within years — might coordinate complex influence campaigns. In a worst-case scenario, such systems could attempt to seize control of military infrastructure and challenge human governments.
Peter Barnett, a technical AI researcher at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, described the stakes bluntly. “There are many ways in which this could go very badly and result in everyone dead,” he said. Experts also noted that the scenarios they currently envision may not capture the full range of possible risks.
Separately, President Trump announced plans to appoint an AI czar and create a dedicated AI task force. He added that the administration would “not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry.”
Other Stories From the Weekend
An ICE officer shot and wounded a man Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said the victim was shot in the torso and transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said questions about the man’s nationality and whether he was the target of an ICE operation “still need to be answered.”
In other political news, Trump said Sunday he would convert plans for a Washington, D.C.-area arch into a complex housing drones and snipers, citing a military request on national security grounds. The president also confirmed he would meet New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday.
The U.S. military struck a boat in the Caribbean Sea suspected of drug smuggling, killing four people. That attack brought the total death toll from similar boat strikes to 231.
In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he plans to remain in office after his party suffered a historic defeat in state elections Sunday. He also reaffirmed his commitment to economic reform plans that many expect to be painful for Europe’s largest economy.
Comedian Carrot Top is hospitalized and recovering, according to his representative, who did not disclose the reason. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams left Sunday’s game against Minnesota in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury. Saudi Arabia confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels attempted a ballistic missile strike on Riyadh on Saturday — the first targeting of the Saudi capital since a recent escalation in fighting with the Tehran-backed group. Finally, Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer accused King Charles of gaslighting him after Buckingham Palace disputed his claims about the monarch’s conduct.
