White House Boycott Drags Five TV Networks Into Antitrust Probe

The US Department of Justice announced that it is investigating whether television networks violated antitrust laws following their decision to boycott White House coverage, protesting the revocation of credentials from three media organizations, including CNN.

Boycott of White House Coverage

According to the department, the networks under investigation include ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News.

A spokesperson for the department stated that collective boycotts among commercial competitors may violate the Sherman Act, adding that the antitrust division is investigating whether the media organizations broke the law.

This probe comes amid the latest chapter of tensions between President Donald Trump's administration and major media outlets. Trump has frequently labeled traditional media as fake news and has clashed with journalists during his interactions with the press.

The investigation could subject the networks to legal and financial pressure to continue covering presidential activities, despite their disagreements with how the White House treats them. The networks did not immediately respond to requests for comment.