The White House on Monday blocked POLITICO's access to travel with Trump on Air Force One and to perform its printing duties. This action reflects escalating tensions regarding media access to President Donald Trump.
Access Blocked and Its Consequences
Katherine Doyle, a reporter for the Washington Post, wrote in a report from the White House that "the White House has barred POLITICO's printer from traveling on Air Force One today." She also noted that since the White House was unable to find a replacement, there will be no main printer on this trip, and she will serve as a "secondary printer" providing reports from Trump's trip to Nebraska for a campaign rally.
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Media Positions and Reactions
CBS, the designated representative for television coverage, is also sharing its notes with news organizations during this trip. Josh Gross, a CBS News reporter, emphasized in an email that "none of the news organizations will have a replacement for POLITICO." POLITICO has confirmed to several media outlets that it has been barred from traveling on Air Force One.
A White House official stated that "traveling with the President of the United States on Air Force One is a privilege, not a right." He also added that Trump is "the most accessible President in American history" and promised that he would give the media unprecedented levels of access.
The White House press coverage system allows a group of reporters to accompany the President at various events and provide updates for other media outlets. However, access to perform coverage duties remains a contentious issue.
POLITICO is one of three media outlets that Trump barred from entering the White House on September 18, claiming that these outlets repeatedly publish "fake news." Following this announcement, reporters from these outlets were turned away from the White House gates, and their press credentials were revoked.
In response to this action, the three media outlets sued the Trump administration, claiming that this ban violated their constitutional rights. A federal judge issued a temporary order on September 24 to prevent this ban and ordered that media access be restored immediately.
However, access to perform coverage duties remains a point of contention. Previously, the White House had also blocked CNN from traveling on Air Force One.
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