CNN reporters were expected to travel with President Donald Trump on Saturday as part of the rotating television press pool. But in a Friday evening schedule, the White House abruptly dropped CNN — along with the other major TV networks — from the lineup.
Instead, the only television crew listed was Lindell TV, the staunchly pro-Trump outlet operated by Trump ally and businessman Mike Lindell.
The move comes just days after the White House tried to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from its press operations, accusing the outlets of unfairly negative coverage of Trump.
A federal judge intervened, ordering the administration to temporarily restore the news organizations' access and ruling that Trump's attempt was likely unconstitutional.
But Saturday's travel schedule shows the confrontation is far from over.
The presidential press pool plays a crucial role: because space aboard the president's aircraft and at certain events is limited, a small group of journalists travels with Trump and shares its reporting with other news organizations.
CNN had been scheduled to take its turn.
Now it has been left off the list.
The escalating clash has already triggered an extraordinary show of solidarity among America's major television networks. ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC jointly announced earlier this week that they would suspend White House pool coverage after the administration restricted access to the three targeted outlets.
Their message was blunt: Americans have a right to receive independent information about their government, and news organizations should not be punished because the White House dislikes their reporting.
CNN declined to comment Friday. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
For CNN, Saturday's exclusion is the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter battle over who gets access to the president — and whether that access can be controlled by the White House.
CNN Shut Out of Trump’s Trip as White House Press Fight Escalates
