Trump restricts CNN's access to White House, TV pool faces pressure

President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict CNN's access to White House facilities have destabilized the TV pool system that has been in place for decades in the United States. This system traditionally ensures that major news networks have access to the president's public appearances.

Traditionally, five major U.S. broadcasters – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC – share footage of the president. The networks take turns filming presidential events, and the material is then distributed to all members. This arrangement, based on cost-sharing and the principle of independent observation, faced a crisis when the Trump administration announced on September 18 that CNN, MSNBC, and Politico would be banned from White House press briefings.

In response to CNN's exclusion, the five-network TV pool announced it would cease reporting on presidential events. Three media organizations filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge granted them temporary 14-day access to the White House. However, the ruling did not directly address the functioning of the TV pool.

Following the court order, the five broadcasters agreed to resume pool operations. When it was CNN's turn to cover presidential activities, the White House blocked the network from traveling on Air Force One en route to Tennessee. After discussions with the other networks, broadcasters opted to skip CNN's turn, resulting in the president not being filmed by any pool cameras on Saturday.