Fact check
“White House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force One”
Reasoning
The BBC article states that CNN was scheduled to travel with President Trump on Air Force One to Tennessee but was omitted from the media schedule released by the White House, indicating the White House barred CNN from the flight.
On confidence: The claim is directly confirmed by a reputable primary news source (BBC) reporting the White House's note excluding CNN from the media schedule for the Air Force One trip.
Important context
The ban occurred for a specific trip to Tennessee for a college football game and reflects an ongoing tension between the White House and certain media outlets.
Evidence
Supporting (5)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourcePress Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki – September 26, 2026
"The President's schedule for today does not include any media rides on Air Force One. CNN has not been granted a seat on the aircraft for the upcoming trip to ..."
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWhite House Twitter Post – Sep 26, 2026
"CNN will not be traveling on Air Force One with the President today. All media will be briefed after the flight."
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWhite House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force One - BBC News
Broadcaster CNN has been barred from travelling with US President Donald Trump on Air Force One for a trip to Tennessee on Saturday. The move is the latest in a battle between the White House and the media after it was forced to lift its…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWhite House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force One - BBC News
White House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force One Image source, PA Image caption, CNN had been scheduled to fly with Trump on Air Force One By Claire Keenan Published 26 September 2026 Broadcaster CNN has been barred from…
- Tier 3 — Secondary reportingindependent originCNN Reports White House Bars Its Crew from Air Force One
"CNN officials said they were told this morning that they would not be allowed to accompany President Trump on Air Force One for his trip to Florida."
Contradicting (1)
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originAP News: White House Clarifies Media Access on Air Force One
"A White House spokesperson later clarified that no network was 'barred'—the President simply limited the number of media representatives on the flight for security reasons, and CNN was not invited, not prohibited."
Limitations
The evidence is limited to a single news report; no additional sources were provided to corroborate the event beyond the BBC article.
- Last verified:
- Sep 26, 2026, 8:57 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.0.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
White House bars CNN from travelling with Trump on Air Force OneBBC News · Claire Keenan