diff --git a/client/src/components/SearchModal.tsx b/client/src/components/SearchModal.tsx
index b89c076..db7de76 100644
--- a/client/src/components/SearchModal.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/SearchModal.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogTitle } from "@/components/ui/dialog";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
-import { Search, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { Search } from "lucide-react";
 import { Link } from "wouter";
 import type { MediaOutlet, Article } from "@shared/schema";
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export default function SearchModal({ isOpen, onClose }: SearchModalProps) {
         <DialogTitle className="sr-only">Search Articles and Media Outlets</DialogTitle>
         {/* Search Header */}
         <div className="flex items-center p-4 border-b">
-          <div className="relative flex-1 mr-4">
+          <div className="relative flex-1">
             <Search className="absolute left-3 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 h-4 w-4 text-gray-400" />
             <Input
               type="text"
@@ -75,13 +75,6 @@ export default function SearchModal({ isOpen, onClose }: SearchModalProps) {
               autoFocus
             />
           </div>
-          <button
-            onClick={handleClose}
-            className="p-2 hover:bg-gray-100 rounded-full"
-            data-testid="search-modal-close"
-          >
-            <X className="h-5 w-5 text-gray-500" />
-          </button>
         </div>
 
         {/* Search Results */}