White House Blocks Politico From Air Force One, Testing a Judge's Order to Restore Access

On October 5, 2026, the White House barred Politico from traveling aboard Air Force One during President Trump's campaign trip to Nebraska, continuing a monthlong fight over press access that began when Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds on September 18 over what he called "fake news" coverage. A White House statement said "traveling with the President of the United States aboard Air Force One is a privilege not a right." It followed a similar removal of CNN from the travel pool the previous week.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly had ordered the administration to restore the three outlets' general access to White House grounds while their First Amendment lawsuit proceeds, but the administration argues that order did not extend to limited-capacity events such as presidential travel. Press advocates and the outlets themselves see the Air Force One bans as an attempt to comply with the letter of the court's order while continuing to punish specific newsrooms for their coverage.

A hearing on the outlets' request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled for the following Thursday; the underlying lawsuit, filed by CNN, MS NOW and Politico, remains pending.