White House denies CNN access to Air Force One for Trump trip to Tennessee
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The administration excluded CNN from traveling on Air Force One with President Trump, marking a further escalation in its dispute with the network and other outlets.
The White House confirmed that CNN was not included in the list of media outlets permitted to travel on Air Force One for President Donald Trump's trip to Tennessee on Saturday, according to guidance sent to the press corps. CNN had previously announced that it was scheduled to accompany the president for a college football game in the state.
The exclusion follows a recent decision by the Trump administration to revoke White House access for CNN, MS Now and Politico, citing what officials described as unfavorable coverage. The White House television press pool issued a statement saying the public deserves accurate, independent information and that no administration should limit a news organization because of its reporting.
CNN, MS Now and Politico have filed a lawsuit alleging that the ban violates the First Amendment. In response, Department of Justice attorneys argued the restriction was justified by national-security concerns, referencing reports that involved “sensitive” and “classified” information. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled in favor of the outlets, ordering the administration to restore their White House access.
The dispute also affected coverage of a state dinner honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping, where CNN’s editorial team and an MS Now reporter were barred from the event after initially being denied entry to the White House earlier that day.