By SNN Newsroom
Reporting through October 1, 2026

CNN’s renewed exclusion from presidential pool assignments raises a specific question: why is Real America’s Voice providing coverage while CNN is kept out?

Street News Now is examining the decision, the company behind the network and its documented financial relationships. The records reviewed establish connections; they do not establish that those connections caused the White House’s selection.

The White House press ban: a chronology

September 18: President Donald Trump announced a ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, accusing them of “reporting FAKE NEWS” and publishing “FICTION and LIES.” Reuters reported the announcement.

September 23: RAV announced free distribution of presidential coverage produced by its internal camera teams. Vice President Parker Sigg defended the service as widening access.

September 24: U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly temporarily ordered the outlets’ White House credentials restored for 14 days. Reporters returned that day. The ruling focused on due process; it did not finally resolve the litigation. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press summarized the ruling and restoration of access.

September 26: CNN was excluded from its scheduled Air Force One pool assignment for a Tennessee trip. RAV traveled with the president and offered footage to other outlets. The order addressed White House credentials without expressly resolving Air Force One or pool access. Associated Press reporting explains that distinction.

September 28: RAV announced RAVPool.org, offering footage, pool notes and a presidential schedule. Its public-facing site also invites email subscriptions. Two domain-information services list September 25 as its registration date; direct registry confirmation remains outstanding.

October 1: CNN was again removed from a scheduled television pool assignment, and other traditional television pool participants declined to replace it. The Associated Press documented the renewed exclusion. RAV remained assigned to the trip.

Restoring credentials and restoring pool assignments are distinct issues. RAV’s presence does not establish that it has a permanent, exclusive appointment to distribute all presidential coverage.

Who is behind Real America’s Voice?

RAV’s ownership and leadership statement identifies it as wholly owned by Performance One Media LLC. It lists Robert Sigg as chairman, Rob Schwartz as chief operating officer, Michael Norton as president and chief technology officer, and Tim Kelly as executive vice president of digital. A complete beneficial ownership breakdown remains unverified.

A 2006 Justice Department announcement identifies Robert Sigg among defendants convicted in a mortgage fraud prosecution, reporting time served and a $141,163.13 restitution order. That historical record does not establish wrongdoing in RAV’s current operations.

RAV carries Steve Bannon’s War Room. The former Trump strategist pleaded guilty in February 2025 to a New York felony scheme to defraud involving We Build the Wall and received a three-year conditional discharge. His signed plea agreement acknowledges guilt.

His separate contempt case requires an update: in April 2026 the Supreme Court vacated the appellate judgment upholding his conviction and returned the case for consideration of the Justice Department’s dismissal motion. Reuters reported that action.

Kash Patel’s disclosed financial relationship

Patel’s January 2025 nominee disclosure lists $165,000 in contributor fees from Performance One Media through Dal Forno LLC and a contributor relationship ending in November 2024. The amount covers the disclosure’s reporting period; it is not an established annual salary.

His ethics agreement states he had resigned from Performance One Media. No record reviewed establishes that Patel influenced RAV’s pool assignments.

Questions Street News Now is putting on the public record

  • Who authorized CNN’s removal and RAV’s expanded camera and distribution role?
  • When did discussions begin, and what alternatives were considered?
  • What agreements govern access, footage ownership and distribution?
  • Does any payment, reimbursement, sponsorship or licensing arrangement exist?
  • Who are Performance One Media’s beneficial owners and investors?
  • Did Patel, Bannon or company representatives participate in discussions about these assignments?
  • What safeguards protect independent coverage and consistent access?

RAV’s explanation addresses the availability of its footage. The White House’s selection process remains the central question. Establishing whether favoritism or financial interests influenced it requires communications, agreements and answers not established by the current record.

Reporting note: These questions have not yet been sent to the named parties. This article draws on public documents, published reporting and company statements. AI assisted research and drafting.