Only hours after the Trump administration was ordered to restore access to CNN and MS NOW, both networks said they had been barred from covering the President’s state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order early Thursday, requiring the Trump administration to restore access for Politico, CNN and MS NOW after the outlets were blocked the previous Friday.
The restoration appeared to last only a few hours. CNN announced on air that it had again been denied access as White House events surrounding the dinner began.
“CNN was denied access moments ago to cover the guest arrivals for President Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping,” Erin Burnett reported.
Burnett said the White House had not confirmed whether the earlier ban had been lifted.
She added that it remained unclear “if, when CNN could return” to covering the White House.
MS NOW senior producer Kyle Griffin also confirmed that his network had been refused access.
On air, White House reporter Laura Barrón-López said a staff member directed her to “talk to Steven,” referring to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.
Hours after the Trump administration was ordered to restore access to CNN and MS NOW, both networks said they had been barred from the President’s state dinner with China’s Xi Jinping
MS NOW White House reporter Laura Barrón-López (pictured) said on air that a staff member told her to “talk to Steven,” referring to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung
Ahead of the dinner, President Trump criticized both networks over what he described as declining ratings in a post on Truth Social.
“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 also claimed that both networks had declined to cover Xi and his wife’s arrival at the White House.
“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.”
He said the media would nevertheless attend what he predicted would be a “spectacular” state dinner.
In an email to The Daily Mail, an MS NOW spokesperson said the network’s viewership had risen by nearly 30 percent year over year and that it was the most-watched news organization on YouTube.
The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and CNN for comment on the reported ban.
The White House continued to bar the outlets and confiscated credentials from some employees on Thursday morning before allowing them to return later in the afternoon.
CNN White House correspondent Betsy Klein works at the White House after regaining access earlier Thursday
A reporter was told to “talk to Steven,” referring to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung (pictured)
Trump imposed the ban last Friday in an angry social media post accusing the outlets of spreading “fake news.” He was reportedly shown a series of negative reports from the networks by aide Natalie Harp shortly before the ban was announced.
Despite the court ruling, Politico reported that one of its reporters had their credentials confiscated on Thursday after the order allowing re-entry took effect. MS NOW also said one of its reporters had their credentials taken and was denied access.
The three outlets filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, and the case has moved forward rapidly.
In a show of solidarity, major broadcasters including Fox News, NBC, CBS and ABC — members of the TV pool that rotates responsibility for presidential coverage — have declined to cover the President in response to the restrictions.
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ABC News was scheduled to serve as the TV pool for Thursday’s state visit by China’s president, but refused to enter events until the White House provided proof that CNN journalists had been allowed inside, The Guardian reported.
When Trump and Melania greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the airport on Wednesday, several broadcast crews packed away their cameras and watched without recording the ceremony.
Despite the blackout, Trump warmly praised the Chinese leader, noting that it was the first time Xi had met him at the White House.
“We have spent time together all over the world,” he said.
White House TV correspondents prepare to go live while the CNN booth remains empty on the White House grounds
Xi Jinping (2nd-L) and China’s first lady Peng Liyuan (L) greet US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (R) during an arrival ceremony at the White House today
Trump said that during their previous meetings, he and Xi had “forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually.”
The US president described his visit to Beijing earlier this year as a “great privilege” and praised Xi’s “spectacular and very beautiful hospitality.”
He said he and the First Lady were “honored to host you” at “the beautiful White House.”
Xi, meanwhile, said he and Trump had developed a “personal rapport” over the years and urged both governments to maintain communication.
The Chinese president said those discussions could be strengthened.
“We should strengthen communication,” he said. “China and the United States are different in national condition, but through candid, in-depth, and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground, while shelving differences and build up mutual trust.”
Xi said he and Trump had encouraged closer communication among officials responsible for foreign affairs, economic issues, financial cooperation, law enforcement and people-to-people exchanges.
He later said the two militaries could “maintain regular dialogue” as part of a broader relationship featuring “healthy” competition that remained “kept within bounds.”
Trump’s week has included major events ranging from the UN General Assembly meeting in New York City to the historic state visit with Xi in Washington, which concludes Friday.
The media blackout has limited coverage of the meetings, with broadcasters largely declining to carry the events live.
New media organizations such as Real America’s Voice, a MAGA-friendly network, have moved in to fill the gap with YouTube livestreams.
Because CNN and MS NOW remain restricted, the broadcast tents those networks normally occupy on the White House grounds sit dark and empty. Their correspondents have instead delivered live reports from streets outside the presidential residence.
It remains unclear when the White House will officially restore the outlets’ credentials.
The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.
The White House Correspondents’ Association issued a forceful condemnation of the restrictions following the media crackdown.
“The President said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a ‘ban on the free press,’” WHCA President Jacqui Heinrich said in a statement.
“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.”
