White House bans CNN from Air Force One trip despite federal judge's decision - report

The White House is reportedly barring CNN journalists from joining President Trump on an Air Force One trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, defying a federal judge's order to restore access. Judge Tim Kelly ruled the ban likely unconstitutional, but CNN says it remains locked out of the White House without explanation.

The White House is reportedly barring CNN journalists from joining President Donald Trump on an Air Force One trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, according to The Washington Post, which cited two people familiar with the decision. The move comes despite a federal judge's ruling on Thursday ordering the Trump administration to restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. US District Judge Tim Kelly found the ban likely unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement for 14 days, stating the record lacked factual support for the administration's national security justification. Trump had said on Tuesday he would "probably" comply with a judicial order. However, CNN reported later on Thursday that its journalists were still denied entry to the White House without explanation. The ban was initially announced by Trump in a Truth Social post on September 18, prompting a lawsuit from the three outlets on First Amendment grounds. Other media outlets boycotted the White House in protest. The Washington Post reached out to the White House and CNN for comment, and neither has responded.