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MSNBC says Blanche cited “national security” for keeping CNN off Air Force One; The New York Times says a court had restored CNN’s access two days before

The White House kept CNN off President Trump’s Saturday trip to Tennessee. Only one outlet we hold reports a reason, and it says the reason was not explained. Only one describes the court order that came before.

Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security
Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security as published by MSNBC · seen at MSNBC
United States United States

What happened. The White House kept CNN off Air Force One for President Trump’s Saturday trip to Tennessee. The New York Times, The Washington Post and MSNBC all report it. The Times says Trump had banned CNN and two other outlets from the White House, and that “a court order on Thursday restored their access.”

The reason given. Only MSNBC carries one. It says Attorney General Todd Blanche cited national security. It adds, in its own voice, that he “did not explain how that related to” a college football game.

Outlet What it leads with
MSNBC Blanche “citing national security”, with no explanation given
The New York Times “a court order on Thursday restored their access”
The Washington Post the TV pool, “in jeopardy once more”
The Hill Trump’s “FAKE NEWS MEDIA” post; the ban “overshadows Xi visit”
NPR Trump’s “fight with some of the White House press corps”

The networks. The Post says the rotating TV pool started again on Friday. The Times says network leaders believe “an indefinite suspension may be untenable”, and that the networks will resume covering Trump.

What is not settled - Only the Times describes the court order. We hold nothing on who ruled, or whether the order covers the plane as well as the building. - Only MSNBC reports Blanche’s reason. None of our reports quotes a White House statement. - We do not know if CNN will be allowed on later trips. - We could not read Reuters. MSNBC’s reports reached us only through its own site.

This story is about whether the White House can choose which news outlets travel with the president after a court ordered their access restored.

How it got here. For decades, a small rotating group of reporters, photographers and TV crews has travelled with the president, including on Air Force One. This group is called the press pool. It shares what it records with every other outlet, so the few on the plane supply the coverage most Americans see. The White House Correspondents’ Association, an independent body of journalists, long decided who joined the pool. In February 2025 the Trump White House took that choice for itself, after barring the Associated Press in a dispute over what to call the Gulf of Mexico.

This month, The New York Times reports, Trump banned CNN and two other outlets from the White House. The networks’ shared TV pool went dark in response. On Thursday a court order restored the outlets’ access. The Washington Post says the TV pool resumed on Friday. On Friday evening the White House said CNN would not fly on Saturday’s trip.

The actors - The White House controls who enters the building and who boards the plane. - CNN is the outlet excluded from this trip. - The TV networks take turns filming the president for all of them. One network barred means a gap in the rotation. - The courts. The First Amendment bars the government from punishing a news outlet for what it publishes. Judges decide whether an exclusion is that kind of punishment. - Todd Blanche is the attorney general. He heads the Justice Department, which argues the administration’s side in court.

What is at stake. If the White House can keep an outlet off the plane after an order like Thursday’s, the order protects less than it seemed to. If it cannot, the White House has less say over who reports on the president in person.

Where it stands. CNN did not fly to Tennessee. The networks say they will resume coverage. None of the reports we hold says whether anyone has gone back to court.

What is being argued about

  • Why CNN was kept off Air Force One, and whether national security was ever explained
  • What Thursday’s court order restored, and whether it reaches the plane
  • Whether the networks’ shared TV pool can hold if one network is kept out
  • Two blind readings of the reports. Both found that MSNBC answers the stated reason in its own voice. They differ on whether one report or two mention the court ruling.
From a court order to a seat taken away, in three daysTimeline
  1. 2026-09-24— no time published A court Court order restores White House access for CNN and two other outlets Trump had bannedReported by The New York Times only
  2. 2026-09-25— no time published TV networks The rotating TV pool resumesThe Washington Post
  3. 2026-09-2523:51 UTC time the report was posted The Washington Post White House blocks CNN from the Air Force One trip; pool “in jeopardy once more”
  4. 2026-09-26— no time published; “Saturday morning” Donald Trump Tells MS NOW’s Akayla Gardner: “I want real news, not fake news — like you”MSNBC
  5. 2026-09-26— no time published; “late Saturday” Donald Trump Posts that “the FAKE NEWS MEDIA refuses to report” economic figuresThe Hill
  6. 2026-09-2715:50 UTC time the report was posted; when Blanche spoke is not published MSNBC Blanche defends the exclusion, citing national security, without explaining the link
Dates are from the reports. Only the posting times of the reports themselves are published.
Sources The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House blocks CNN from trip on Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Trump escalates standoff with press in fresh attacks on MS NOW, CNN Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Trump boasts about economy, slams ‘fake news’ amid media battle Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
One exclusion, five outlets, five things they lead withSide by side
OutletWhat it leads withReason for the exclusion given?
MSNBCBlanche “citing national security”; he “did not explain how that related to” the gameYes, and answered in the report’s own voice
The New York Times“a court order on Thursday restored their access”No
The Washington Postthe TV pool “in jeopardy once more”No
The Hill“FAKE NEWS MEDIA” post; ban “overshadows Xi visit”No
NPRTrump’s “fight with some of the White House press corps”No
Most reports we hold are opening lines only.
Sources MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House blocks CNN from trip on Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Trump boasts about economy, slams ‘fake news’ amid media battle Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent The Memo: Trump’s media ban overshadows Xi visit as midterms clock runs down Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent Politics chat: Trump vs the media; rolling back health and education spending Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at NPR → What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1145 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias

The reason given for the exclusion, and who carries it

One report carries the national-security reason, and it says in its own voice that the reason was not explained. Two reports mention the court order that restored access. The rest describe a standoff and give no stated reason.

1 reports that carry the national-security reason 2 reports that mention the court order 9 reports we hold on the event

Verbs chosen for the President

Three reports choose loaded verbs or nouns for the President: 'decree', 'boasted', 'escalates'. No report we hold quotes a White House spokesperson directly in its opening lines.

3 reports with a loaded verb or noun for the President 0 reports quoting a White House spokesperson in the opening lines
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House blocks CNN from trip on Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent TV Networks to Resume Trump Coverage, Even as White House Excludes CNN Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Trump escalates standoff with press in fresh attacks on MS NOW, CNN Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Trump boasts about economy, slams ‘fake news’ amid media battle Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent A 7-Day Standoff That Said So Much About Trump and the Media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent The Memo: Trump’s media ban overshadows Xi visit as midterms clock runs down Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent Politics chat: Trump vs the media; rolling back health and education spending Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at NPR → What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1145 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Claims and verdicts

true The White House barred CNN from the president's Air Force One trip to Tennessee.
The New York Times, The Washington Post and MSNBC all report the exclusion. None of the reports we hold disputes it.
Checked against 3 sources:
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3863 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House blocks CNN from trip on Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified A court order on Thursday restored CNN's White House access before the Air Force One exclusion.
Only The New York Times reports the Thursday order. Its second piece mentions only a 'legal intervention', and no other outlet we hold describes the order.
Checked against 2 sources:
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3863 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent A 7-Day Standoff That Said So Much About Trump and the Media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3863 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified Attorney General Blanche defended the exclusion on national security grounds.
Only MSNBC carries this, adding that Blanche did not explain how national security related to a college football game. No other report we hold quotes Blanche.
Checked against 1 source:
MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Who wrote it

A Adam Hudacek MSNBC
What the bias passes found in their reporting
What is asserted says flatly what the attorney general failed to explain, in the reporter's own voice×1
What is asserted versus attributed the report rebuts the official reason in its own voice×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 unverified1 true
From 12 reports we hold under this byline, at MSNBC. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
A Ayesha Rascoe NPR
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it×1
Unmeasured claim public disbelief is asserted without a number, a poll or a source×1
Which measure is named names health and education; refugees are not mentioned×1
Which measure was chosen leads with health and education; refugees are not mentioned×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 unverified2 true
From 14 reports we hold under this byline, at NPR. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
R Ryan Mancini The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's×1
Asserted versus attributed the president's forecast carried in his own words, attributed to his post×1
Claim carried without a check a presidential forecast is the lede, with no analyst or figure against it×1
Label attributed, not asserted the word racist is placed in the critics' mouths×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
3 disputed4 unverified7 true
From 265 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
N Niall Stanage The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
How hard the claim is stated The report reads Trump's demand as being about his name, and hedges that reading×1
Verb chosen for the president basked — a mood attributed to him without a source×1
What is asserted versus attributed 'ban' stated flat in the report's own voice×1
Whose position leads leads with Trump's demand; the court ruling comes later×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 unverified1 true
From 27 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
E Erik Wemple The New York Times · 2 reports on this story
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Attributed claim The First Amendment argument is attributed to the outlets, not stated as fact×1
Attribution attributed: the First Amendment claim is put as the outlets' argument×1
Characterising verb a neutral verb for the same filing×1
Ground for the ban Decorum, quoted from the president's own finding.×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
3 unverified3 true
From 21 reports we hold under this byline, at The New York Times. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
M Michael M. Grynbaum The New York Times · 2 reports on this story
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Actor named for the ban The President is named as the one who imposed the ban, and a judge as the one who reversed it.×1
Asserted in the reporter's voice escalation and war on the media stated flat; the legal challenge hedged×1
Asserted in the report's own voice Escalation, a war on the media and a probable legal challenge are all stated without attribution in the standfirst×1
Headline state Headline says flat that the ban still holds; later reports say reporters were let back in×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 disputed3 unverified5 true
From 24 reports we hold under this byline, at The New York Times. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
C Clarissa-Jan Lim MSNBC
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Chosen figure The headline uses the president's rounded-up wording in quotation marks, not the exact sum.×1
Conflicting fact names ICE as the force that shot Alex Pretti×1
Distancing quote marks the amount is put in quote marks as the president's phrase, not as a fact×1
Editorial emphasis inside an attributed claim the report inserts 'repeatedly' between dashes into the administration's account×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 disputed4 unverified4 true
From 44 reports we hold under this byline, at MSNBC. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
S Scott Nover The Washington Post
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Ban with no actor named The ban is written in the passive voice. The report does not say who barred CNN.×1
Figure chosen Gives $110 billion for the same deal and does not say what the figure counts.×1
Figure without basis $110 billion, with no word on what the figure counts. That is $29 billion more than another report gives for the same deal.×1
Headline against body the headline says the outlets are going 'to sue'; the first line says they already filed×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 disputed1 unverified6 true
From 25 reports we hold under this byline, at The Washington Post. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Blanche defends White House’s banning CNN from Air Force One, citing national security Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report of a reason: Blanche cited national security. MSNBC says he did not explain how it related to a college football game.
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the White House’s decision to remove CNN from its scheduled TV pool duties aboard Air Force One, citing national security concerns in an interview Sunday morning. “The president has every right to decide who gets to fly on his plane, and it is national security, especially on Air Force One, and especially at the White House,” Blanche said on ABC’s “This Week.” “It’s not just the fact that they refuse to report anything accurately.” Blanche’s Justice Department used the same reasoning in federal court last week to defend the White House’s prior restriction
What is asserted: says flatly what the attorney general failed to explain, in the reporter's own voice — “Trump’s attorney general did not explain how that related to the president’s attendance at a college football game in Tennessee.”
What is asserted versus attributed: the report rebuts the official reason in its own voice — “Trump’s attorney general did not explain how that related to the president’s attendance at a college football game in Tennessee.”
Read it at MSNBC → https://www.ms.now/news/blanche-white-house-cnn-national-security-air-f…
N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent Politics chat: Trump vs the media; rolling back health and education spending Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at NPR → What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1145 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Describes the $810 million as health and education spending, and calls the move an attempt to "claw back" the money.
We look at President Trump's fight with some of the White House press corps, as well as his attempt to claw back $810 million in Congressionally-approved funds for health and education spending.
Which measure is named: names health and education; refugees are not mentioned — “claw back $810 million in Congressionally-approved funds for health and education spending”
Word choice: 'claw back' where the other report says 'cancel' — “his attempt to claw back”
Which measure was chosen: leads with health and education; refugees are not mentioned — “claw back $810 million in Congressionally-approved funds for health and education spending”
Read it at NPR → https://www.npr.org/2026/09/27/nx-s1-5978751/politics-chat-trump-vs-the…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Trump boasts about economy, slams ‘fake news’ amid media battle Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Quotes Trump’s Saturday post on Truth Social: “the FAKE NEWS MEDIA refuses to report them!!!”
President Trump late Saturday boasted about the U.S. economy while accusing news outlets of “fake news” amid his battle over media coverage at the White House and of his administration. “We have the BEST FINANCIAL NUMBERS EVER, and the FAKE NEWS MEDIA refuses to report them!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. When asked on Saturday…
Word choice: 'boasted' for the President's claim about the economy — “President Trump late Saturday boasted about the U.S. economy”
Loaded verb: 'boasts' and 'slams' where 'said' would carry the same fact — “Trump boasts about economy, slams ‘fake news’ amid media battle”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6113577-trump-accuses-outle…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent The Memo: Trump’s media ban overshadows Xi visit as midterms clock runs down Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Argues the media ban overshadowed Xi Jinping’s state visit during the same week.
The key moment of President Trump’s week did not come at the state dinner with Chinese premier Xi Jinping nor as the two leaders toured the National Archives. It came instead on social media. On Thursday afternoon, Trump proclaimed the arrival of Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, as “magnificent” but bemoaned the sparsity of…
What is asserted versus attributed: 'ban' stated flat in the report's own voice — “Trump’s media ban overshadows Xi visit”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6112681-trump-xi-visit-medi…
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent TV Networks to Resume Trump Coverage, Even as White House Excludes CNN Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3864 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Network leaders believe “an indefinite suspension may be untenable”, and TV networks will resume Trump coverage.
The White House TV pool went dark this past week amid a standoff between CNN and the president. Network leaders, however, believe an indefinite suspension may be untenable.
Whose voice is quoted: the networks' reading of the dispute, not the White House's — “Network leaders, however, believe an indefinite suspension may be untenable.”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/business/media/trump-white-house-tv-…
MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Trump escalates standoff with press in fresh attacks on MS NOW, CNN Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Names the reporter Trump addressed on Saturday morning, MS NOW’s Akayla Gardner: “I want real news, not fake news — like you.”
President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on the press on Saturday morning, a day after escalating his standoff with news outlets by banning CNN from traveling with him on Air Force One. “Why should perpetrators of FAKE NEWS, like CNN and MSDNC, be allowed access to a very sacred place, the White House?” he wrote on Truth Social. “Despite my big Election Win, almost 100% of ‘TRUMP’ coverage is negative, and has been for years!” In brief remarks to reporters later on Saturday morning, the president denied that he only wanted news outlets that support him in the press pool, telling MS NOW’s
Who is named as acting: names the President as the one escalating — “Trump escalates standoff with press”
Whether anyone targeted is named: the reporter Trump addressed is named, with his words quoted in full — ““I want real news, not fake news — like you,” he told MS NOW’s Akayla Gardner on Saturday morning.”
Read it at MSNBC → https://www.ms.now/news/trump-white-house-press-cnn-ban-ms-now
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent A 7-Day Standoff That Said So Much About Trump and the Media Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3864 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Describes the week as “an abrupt decree, a network boycott, a legal intervention and an uneasy détente”, without saying who ruled.
An abrupt decree, a network boycott, a legal intervention and an uneasy détente: This was no typical battle between a president and his press corps.
Word choice: calls the President's order a 'decree' — “An abrupt decree”
Who is named as acting: four events with no actor named, not the White House and not the court — “An abrupt decree, a network boycott, a legal intervention and an uneasy détente”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/business/media/trump-white-house-pre…
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House Blocks CNN From Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3864 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report that says a court order on Thursday had restored access for CNN and two other banned outlets.
CNN won’t be able to join President Trump on a Saturday trip to Tennessee. He had banned CNN and two other news outlets from the White House, but a court order on Thursday restored their access.
What is dated: places the court order before the Air Force One exclusion and dates it — “a court order on Thursday restored their access”
What is omitted elsewhere: the only report that names the court order restoring access — “but a court order on Thursday restored their access”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/business/media/white-house-cnn-air-f…
T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent White House blocks CNN from trip on Air Force One Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The rotating TV pool had resumed on Friday, and the exclusion puts it “in jeopardy once more.”
The White House’s decision puts the state of the rotational TV pool, which resumed on Friday, in jeopardy once more.
Read it at The Washington Post → https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/09/25/white-house-blocks-c…
Checked, didn’t cover
Mother Jones
Left estimate · not a score
Mother Jones 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed 'ultra-gerrymandered' stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Cover-up' is asserted in the report's own voice, not attributed ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it a cover-up in its own voice ×1Assertion vs attribution describes the operation as a 'violent occupation' in its own voice, with no source for the phrase ×1 from 365 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → P Politico
Centre estimate · not a score
Politico 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Fox News
Right estimate · not a score
Fox News 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accused named Names one former fraternity member through his lawyer's denial. The woman is anonymous by her own choice. ×1Actor in headline The headline names Trump as the one acting. The body names only Anduril. ×1A number, with no people named The only report that gives a figure counts the journalists whose communications were swept up. It names none of them. ×1Asserted, not attributed stated flat: past court defeats are asserted with no case, judge or date named ×1 from 6448 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Breitbart
Right estimate · not a score
Breitbart 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Anyone hurt is counted, not named eight deaths given as a number only ×1Framing of motive The lede calls the denial a punishment and puts 'fake news' in quotation marks; the officials being sued are left unnamed ×1How the person shot is named a status, not a name: the only report that never uses either name calls him an illegal alien ×1How the place is described a party label attached to the city in the same clause as the casualty count ×1 from 3584 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → National Review
Centre-right estimate · not a score
National Review 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted not attributed Doubt about the allegation is stated flat, in the outlet's own voice ×1Asserted not attributed An argument about deterrence is stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it an abuse of power in its own voice ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Abuse of presidential power' is stated flat ×1 from 415 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Silence is recorded, not inferred — each of these was read when we built this story and carried nothing on this event.
We could not read these
The Wall Street Journal
Centre-right estimate · not a score
The Wall Street Journal 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Associated Press
Centre estimate · not a score
Associated Press 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Dating and attribution Dates the signing to Aug. 6, 2026 and writes ord ×1Dating and attribution Carries a dateline correction, repeated three ti ×1How hard the claim is stated Marks "birth tourism" as the administration's ow ×1How hard the claim is stated high ×1 from 223 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
These are must-cite outlets for this desk that we did not manage to read when we built this story. That is a gap in our reach, not a silence on their part, and it is not evidence of anything about this story.

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