The White House has barred CNN from accompanying President Donald Trump on Air Force One for his trip to Tennessee on Saturday, marking another escalation in the administration's ongoing dispute with the media. The decision was announced in a note released on Friday night, which did not list CNN on the media schedule for the event. The network was originally scheduled to cover the trip, which includes a college American football game between the University of Tennessee and the University of Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

The exclusion of CNN from Air Force One follows a broader pattern of media restrictions under the Trump administration. Last week, the president banned CNN, Politico, and MS NOW journalists from the White House, accusing them of writing 'fiction or lies' about his administration. All three outlets have since pursued legal action, arguing that the ban violates their constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of the press. A federal judge has ruled that the ban is likely unconstitutional, ordering the administration to allow the journalists back into the White House, at least temporarily.

CNN has not issued a direct statement on the latest exclusion, but its media analyst, Brian Stelter, posted on X that the network had a pool assignment at the National Archives event and that the White House had approved its credentials. However, the network's coverage of the event was delayed, with viewers only able to see the visit on CNN later in the day. The White House communications account on X defended the decision, stating that '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.'

The exclusion of CNN from Air Force One has drawn criticism from media watchdogs and journalists, who argue that it undermines the principle of press freedom. The White House's decision to replace CNN with Real America's Voice News, a conservative outlet, has further fueled concerns about bias and the administration's control over media access. The move has also raised questions about the broader implications for press freedom in the United States, particularly in the context of the ongoing legal battle over the White House's media restrictions.

Despite the controversy, regular television coverage of the president resumed on Friday after White House officials allowed reporters entry. The networks that are part of the White House video pool — ABC, CBS, Fox News, and NBC — have continued to provide coverage, though they have not commented on the exclusion of CNN. The situation remains fluid, with no clear indication of whether the White House will lift the ban on CNN for future events. What remains unknown is the full extent of the administration's plans for media access and the potential long-term impact on press freedom in the United States.