White House Bars CNN From Traveling with President Trump on Air Force One

The White House has barred CNN from traveling with President Donald Trump on Air Force One for a trip to Tennessee on Saturday, continuing a dispute between the administration and the media.

CNN was scheduled to be on the flight for Trump's visit to attend a college football game. However, a note released by the White House on Friday night did not list the broadcaster among the media scheduled for the trip. No other outlet was listed as a replacement.

This action follows a broader ban last week where Trump excluded journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from the White House grounds, citing allegations of reporting "fiction or lies" about his administration. All three outlets stated they were pursuing legal action, asserting that the ban violated their constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of the press.

In solidarity with the banned outlets, four major television networks—ABC, CBS, Fox News, and NBC—which typically rotate White House coverage with CNN, paused their broadcasts of the president. In response, the White House launched its own streaming channel, dubbed "Trump TV."

A federal judge had previously ruled that Trump's barring of news outlets from the White House was likely unconstitutional, requiring the administration to allow them access, at least temporarily. Despite this ruling, the White House denied entry to some CNN and MS NOW reporters covering arrivals for a state dinner.

A White House communications account had earlier posted on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "contrary to what the Fake News wants you to believe, they don't just get to have free rein into every part of the White House, every event, and every press call."

Regular US television coverage resumed on Friday after White House officials permitted reporters entry. The president is scheduled to attend the football game between the University of Tennessee and the University of Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.