Rachel Maddow Rips Into Trump Over Shocking White House Press Ban

Martin Holmes September 21, 2026, 10:36 am

What To Know

Rachel Maddow criticized Donald Trump’s recent press ban, calling it an “Orwellian” move.
Maddow emphasized that such actions are illegal under the U.S. Constitution.
She argued that Trump is reviving his anti-media tactics to energize his base amid declining approval ratings.

MS NOW anchor Rachel Maddow shared her thoughts on Donald Trump‘s press ban on Saturday (September 19), saying the president is “playing the hits” in hopes of uniting his support base.

Appearing on her colleague Peter Alexander’s State of Play program on Saturday, Maddow was asked whether Trump was trying to “replicate” the authoritarian ruling of Xi Jinping ahead of the Chinese president’s visit to the U.S. this week.

“I mean, it’s one of the things that he said he admires about authoritarian leaders in China and elsewhere, is the fact that they rule with an iron fist,” Maddow said, per Mediaite.

Trump announced on Friday (September 18) that he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. In a Truth Social post, he warned, “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”

Maddow said that Trump has openly professed his admiration for China’s authoritarian leadership, which doesn’t allow criticism or dissent. “So I take him at his word,” she stated. “I think he likes that idea. I think he wishes he could do more.”

However, the veteran news reporter said that the president of the United States is a “temporary” position. “Presidents don’t determine what rights the American people have. Our Constitution determines that, and what he’s doing is just blatantly, plainly, on its face, illegal,” Maddow added.

CNN, MS NOW & Politico to Sue Donald Trump Over White House Ban

As for why he’s doing it, Maddow explained that Trump was returning to one of his popular rally tactics. She noted that the president often directed the crowd’s attention to the press pen, calling reporters “fake news” and drawing jeers from the audience.

“We would have this sort of Orwellian, two minutes [of] hate,” Maddow explained. “The whole crowd turns around and starts screaming at them and baying for blood, and he loves that.”

As for why he’s doing it now, Maddow pointed to Trump’s cratering approval ratings and dismal outlook for the Republicans at the upcoming midterm elections.

“He’s in a really low place politically, and so I think this is him playing the hits,” she said. “I think this is him going back to something that he knows his base will enjoy, and he wants that feeling again. And I think it’s as simple as that.”

State of Play, Weekdays, 11am/10c, MS NOW