Justice Department Opens Antitrust Probe into Major US TV Networks Over White House Pool Boycott

Washington – In a move that adds another twist to the ongoing feud between the Trump administration and the press, the U.S. Justice Department has formally opened an antitrust investigation into five of the nation’s biggest television networks. The probe centers on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News and their decision, last month, to temporarily suspend the long‑standing White House television pool.

The pool, a kind of rotating assignment where each network takes turns filming the president and then shares the footage with its rivals, was halted after President Trump barred CNN journalists from the West Wing. With CNN sidelined, the remaining networks chose not to fill the gap, leaving certain presidential events—most notably the meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping—without any pooled video coverage.

According to six sources familiar with the matter, Justice Department officials contacted the networks on Friday, requesting emails, meeting notes and other material that relate to both the pool arrangement and the decision to revoke CNN’s White House access. The request was reported by The New York Times.

At issue is whether the coordinated “boycott,” as the Justice Department’s Emily Covington described it, breaches the Sherman Act, the cornerstone of U.S. antitrust law. The agency is examining if the networks’ joint action constitutes an illegal group boycott—essentially a collusive effort that harms competition.

Legal analysts say the case hinges on motive. Former FTC chair William E. Kovacic told the Times that a boycott is anticompetitive when its primary aim is commercial, but the current dispute may be driven more by political considerations. “If the dominant purpose was political speech, the government would have a tough time proving a commercial motive,” he said, adding that he doubts the DOJ could meet that burden.

The saga began on September 18, when Trump, angry over what he called “purposely negative” coverage, barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House. Those outlets sued, claiming a First Amendment violation. A federal judge later issued a temporary injunction restoring their access, but the administration has continued to prevent CNN from participating in the pool whenever Trump travels on Air Force One.

When it was CNN’s turn to handle the pool, the other networks simply let the coverage go dark. Trump lashed out on social media, calling the refusal “the biggest media blackout in years” and accusing the networks of deliberately ignoring a historic meeting with Xi.

This antitrust inquiry marks a notable escalation in the Trump administration’s broader battle with the media. The DOJ has previously used its subpoena power against outlets it deems hostile, and it has also wielded antitrust statutes to curb coordinated actions by advertising groups.

What makes this case especially interesting is the clash of two legal realms: antitrust law, designed to keep markets competitive, and First Amendment protections, which safeguard political speech. As the investigation proceeds under the Civil Division led by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the networks have declined to comment, and the White House has not responded to requests for comment.