The White House has barred CNN from flying on Air Force One on Saturday as part of its coverage of President Donald Trump’s trip to Tennessee for a college football game. This decision was communicated in a note detailing the president’s schedule and means that CNN will not participate in the White House TV press pool, which consists of a small group of journalists who cover the president and share information with other networks.
This action is part of the Trump administration's ongoing tensions with CNN and the broader press corps. No other outlet has been designated to replace CNN, resulting in a lack of television pool coverage for the trip.
Last week, President Trump announced a ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, which also prevented CNN from fulfilling its pool duties during Trump’s travel to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. A judge subsequently blocked the administration from enforcing this ban and ordered the restoration of credentials for the affected reporters, although the status of the White House pool remains uncertain.
Following CNN's exclusion, other major TV networks, including Fox, NBC, ABC, and CBS, declined to perform their duties until regular access was reinstated. Coverage resumed on Friday, with CNN participating in the pool during an event with Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the National Archives.
It is unclear how the White House's ban will impact the ongoing litigation involving CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which are part of separate pool rotations from the major TV networks. A judge has given these news organizations until Monday to request a preliminary injunction to pause Trump's ban.
A CNN spokesperson did not provide a comment, and CNN has reached out to the White House for a response. The Washington Post first reported on the White House's decision. The TV pool is essential for global audiences to access video feeds and information regarding Trump's speeches and appearances.
Jacqui Heinrich, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, emphasized the importance of independent coverage, stating that the pool system is crucial for ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented. She noted that the government’s control over information could lead to significant gaps in public knowledge.
The Trump administration also produces its own content, including live streams of events, raising concerns about transparency and the completeness of information available to the public. This story has been updated with additional details.