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

CNN also reported on Thursday that its journalists were still denied entry to the White House without an explanation.Follow us on GoogleUS President Donald Trump waves while boarding Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on September 22, 2026.(photo credit: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 03:13Updated: SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 03:47The White House will not allow CNN journalists to join US President Donald Trump on an Air Force One trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, The Washington Post reported, citing two people familiar with the decision.The report comes after US District Judge Tim Kelly ordered Trump on Thursday to restore White House access for CNN journalists, along with those from MS NOW and Politico, arguing that the ban the US president imposed on the three outlets was likely unconstitutional.Kelly blocked officials from enforcing the ban for 14 days, ordering the Trump administration to immediately return the media outlets' press passes."The record lacks factual support for defendants’ contention that the revocation of plaintiffs’ hard passes will in fact protect national security or that national security will be endangered if the court orders their passes reinstated while this litigation proceeds," said Kelly.Trump said on Tuesday that he would "probably" allow journalists from the three outlets to access the White House if a judge made such a decision.An updated solidarity sign adding CNN, MSNOW and POLITICO hangs outside the Associated Press booth at the White House grounds after US President Donald Trump banned three major news outlets – CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, in Washington, D.C., US, September 21, 2026. (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)CNN claims its journalists still banned from White HouseDespite the federal judges' decision, CNN reported later on Thursday that its journalists were still denied entry to the White House without being given a reason.Other media outlets boycotted the White House after Trump initially announced the ban in a Truth Social post on September 18, with CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filing a lawsuit on First Amendment grounds.The Washington Post reached out to the White House and CNN for comment, and neither has responded.Reuters contributed to this report.Follow us on Google