Trump reimposes cable news ban at Xi state dinner after judge forces temporary lift earlier in the day
President Donald Trump‘s administration barred CNN and MS NOW from covering the state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, despite a federal judge’s earlier order to restore their access.
This reversal occurred as Trump hosted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the White House, creating another clash between the administration and major news organizations.
CNN’s Erin Burnett reported the network’s exclusion live during the evening’s events.
CNN says White House would not confirm access was restored
“CNN was denied access moments ago to cover the guest arrivals for President Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping,” Burnett said, per the Daily Mail.
Burnett stated that CNN could not confirm with the White House whether the court-ordered restoration of access would be upheld.
She said it was unclear “if, when CNN could return” to covering the White House.
According to the Daily Mail and senior producer Kyle Griffin, MS NOW was also denied access.
White House reporter Laura Barrón-López said she was directed to speak with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung when she inquired about the situation.
Judge ordered Trump administration to restore access
Earlier Thursday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly granted a temporary restraining order involving Politico, CNN and MS NOW.
The outlets filed suit against the Trump administration after being denied access the previous Friday.
Despite the court order, the White House continued to restrict access to some reporters. Politico reported that one of its reporters had their credentials confiscated after the order, and an MS NOW reporter was also denied entry.
The three outlets filed their lawsuit Monday, escalating a dispute that had already prompted criticism from media organizations.
The White House Correspondents’ Association condemned the administration’s actions.
“The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask,” WHCA president Jacqui Heinrich said.
Trump attacks CNN and MS NOW over ratings
Trump had criticized the two networks on Truth Social before the state dinner.
“CNN and MSDNC’s Ratings have dropped considerably. The primary reason is NO CREDIBILITY! They only write badly about a man who won the Election IN A GIANT LANDSLIDE, winning all 7 Swing States, the Popular Vote, and 86% of the Counties, etc., and whose Popularity has grown because of the unprecedented SUCCESS our Country is having on both the World Stage, and at home,” he wrote.
Trump alleged that the networks refused to cover Xi and Peng’s arrival at the White House to avoid giving him credit for the event.
“NN and MSDNC, to show you how fake they are, today refused to cover one of the Biggest and Most Beautiful Events to take place in many years, the arrival at the White House of the Highly Respected President of China, Xi Jinping, and his beautiful wife, Madam Peng,” he wrote.
“The event was magnificent — Actually made for Television but, because they’re Fake News, and because they knew how good it would be, they didn’t want credit to be given to ‘TRUMP,’ they refused to be there. That’s why they have such poor Ratings,” Trump added.
MS NOW disputed Trump’s ratings claims, telling the Daily Mail the network had experienced nearly a 30% year-over-year increase in viewership and was the most-viewed news organization on YouTube.
Broadcasters refuse to cover Trump amid media standoff
The dispute has impacted the broader White House press pool.
Fox News, NBC, CBS and ABC have declined to cover Trump in response to the treatment of the banned outlets.
ABC News was scheduled as the television pool for Xi’s state visit but reportedly declined to participate until the White House demonstrated that CNN journalists had been allowed back inside.
The standoff was evident as Trump and Xi met earlier Thursday. Broadcast teams packed up their equipment and observed the proceedings without filming.