The White House announced Monday that Politico will be excluded from the Air Force One press pool for President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Nebraska. A senior White House official told NBC News that while many media outlets are allowed to cover presidential events, traveling aboard Air Force One remains a privilege, not a right.

Administration’s Rationale

“Many outlets, including Politico, are granted access to attend and cover presidential events unilaterally, but traveling with the President of the United States aboard Air Force One is a privilege, not a right,” the official said. The statement underscores the administration’s view that the press pool should be limited to outlets that respect the President’s agenda and avoid what the White House calls sensationalist reporting.

Legal Context

The decision comes amid a broader legal battle between the Trump administration and several news organizations. Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered the White House to temporarily restore Politico’s, CNN’s and MS NOW’s access to the White House grounds, but the order did not extend to Air Force One travel. The administration has complied with the limited court order while maintaining its stance on press‑pool privileges.

Trump’s Response to Media Critics

President Trump has repeatedly criticized outlets he deems biased. In a Truth Social post, he labeled Politico’s reporting as “FAKE NEWS,” echoing his broader condemnation of media organizations that he believes spread misinformation. The White House’s recent action aligns with the President’s call for accountability and fairness in the press.

Recent Similar Actions

Last week, the White House also removed CNN from the press pool for Trump’s trip to Texas and Oklahoma. The pattern reflects a consistent approach: limiting Air Force One access to media outlets that the administration feels provide balanced coverage.

Impact on the Nebraska Rally

Despite the press‑pool change, the rally in Nebraska will proceed as scheduled, with the President traveling to the state to address supporters. The administration expects the event to draw large crowds and to reinforce the President’s policy agenda ahead of upcoming elections.

What This Means for the Media Landscape

The move signals a continued tightening of press‑pool rules under the Trump administration. While critics argue it curtails press freedom, the White House maintains that the privilege of Air Force One travel should be reserved for outlets that respect the President’s office and avoid partisan attacks.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.