Topline
The Trump administration barred CNN from the White House press pool again on Thursday, seemingly disregarding a judge’s order, which left Trump without coverage from one of the five major networks during a busy campaign day.
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, October 1, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Key Facts
- CNN was originally listed as the designated TV pool network in a White House schedule published on Sunday but was removed by Wednesday evening.
- Ted Boutrous, the lawyer for CNN and others in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, criticized the White House for its inconsistent actions regarding press access.
- CNN’s exclusion means Trump won’t have coverage from one of the five major networks during his campaign events in Oklahoma and Texas, although footage may be available from other sources.
- Trump had already banned CNN from flying with him on Air Force One over the weekend.
Key Background
Trump had previously blocked CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House grounds last month, citing “constant” reporting of “fake news.” Following a lawsuit by the three outlets claiming First Amendment violations, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order reinstating their access, indicating they were likely to succeed in court. In recent weeks, Trump has continued to prevent these outlets from covering certain events despite the court’s ruling.
Tangent
In a recent interview, Trump implied he was unaware of the judge’s order and questioned its validity, suggesting that he had not ignored it but was not familiar with its specifics.
Further Reading
- What Order? Trump Says ‘He’s Not Even Aware’ What Judge’s Order Lifting Media Ban Means (Forbes)
- CNN, MS NOW And Politico Ask Court To Block Trump From Enforcing Press Ban Again (Forbes)
- Natalie Harp Reportedly Showed Trump Critical News Coverage Before Media Ban (Forbes)
This article was originally published on Forbes.com.
