Trump bars CNN from Air Force One, replaces it with LindellTV for Knoxville trip

President Donald Trump ordered that CNN be excluded from the Air Force One flight to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a college football game, and listed the conservative platform LindellTV as a replacement in the travel schedule. The decision follows a recent federal judge’s order that the White House restore press credentials to CNN, Politico and MS NOW after a temporary ban.

Trump posted on Truth Social questioning why outlets he described as “FAKE NEWS” should have access to the White House, and later reiterated that “fake news should not be allowed in the White House.” The administration had initially barred the three outlets on September 18, prompting a lawsuit that argued the ban violated the First and Fifth Amendments. A district judge ordered the badges reinstated on September 24, but the White House announced on September 25 that CNN would not be permitted on the Air Force One flight.

"I love an open free press," Trump told reporters before departing on Marine One, adding, "What I don’t like is fake news, and they’re fake news 100 percent."

LindellTV, founded by former Trump ally Mike Lindell, and Real America’s Voice were added to the Air Force One schedule in place of the barred networks.