In brief
Following a judge’s ruling that Trump’s ban of CNN, Politico and MSN from the White House was likely unconstitutional, the administration quietly removed CNN from its media schedule for a trip to Tennessee. The move reflects the administration’s continued efforts to curb “fake news” coverage, even as it has begun a new “Trump TV” streaming channel. While some media outlets resumed coverage after the court order, the White House still denied entry to several CNN reporters covering a state dinner for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The ban is the latest chapter in a broader standoff over press freedom and presidential control of the media.
The White House announced on Friday that CNN would not sit aboard Air Force One when President Donald Trump flies to Knoxville, Tennessee for a college football game. The broadcaster was scheduled to travel with the president earlier, but a brief White House memo released at dusk omitted CNN from the official media itinerary.
This move echoes last week’s ban of CNN, Politico and MSN journalists from the White House after Trump accused the outlets of filing “fiction or lies” about his administration. The three outlets filed lawsuits challenging the ban, arguing it violated their First‑Amendment rights. A federal judge later found the ban was likely unconstitutional, forcing the administration to let the outlets back in, at least temporarily.
Despite the court order, the White House has continued to restrict reporter access. For instance, several CNN reporters assigned to cover a state dinner for Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on Thursday were denied entry. White House communications released earlier on X emphasised that “they don’t have free rein at every event, and not every press call,” contradicting the Trump administration’s rhetoric about a “fake news” media circus.
In the wake of the ban, the administration launched a new “Trump TV” streaming channel to broadcast presidential events ahead of the upcoming United General Assembly in New York. While national networks ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC have paused traditional coverage in solidarity with the banned outlets, they have also reportedly resumed limited feeds after the court decision.
The Tuesday game at Neyland Stadium will see President Trump in attendance, a move that could become a flashpoint if the media ban is enforced on the day. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement on the future of its “Air Force One” media policy.
