Trump Administration Reinstates Cable News Ban Hours After Judge Lifts It

The Trump administration on Thursday reimposed a ban on CNN and MS NOW, denying them access to cover the state dinner honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping. This action came just hours after a federal judge ordered the White House to restore the credentials of these networks, which had been revoked days earlier.

CNN announced live on air that its reporters were denied entry to cover the guest arrivals for the state dinner. MS NOW also confirmed its network had been blocked.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung was reportedly the point of contact for inquiries about the ban. MS NOW White House reporter Laura Barrón-López stated she was told to "talk to Steven" when she sought clarification.

President Trump, prior to the banquet, criticized CNN and MSNC for what he described as "sagging ratings" and "no credibility," asserting they had chosen not to cover Xi Jinping's arrival at the White House. He attributed their alleged absence to a desire to avoid giving him credit for the event's success.

An email from an MS NOW spokesperson to the Daily Mail stated the network has experienced a nearly 30% increase in viewership year over year and is the most-viewed news organization on YouTube.

The White House had initially seized the credentials of employees from these outlets on Thursday morning before allowing temporary re-entry later in the afternoon. However, the ban was reinstated for the state dinner coverage.

The controversy began last Friday when Trump announced a ban on news outlets he accused of spreading "fake news." The three outlets, Politico, CNN, and MS NOW, filed a lawsuit against the administration on Monday. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday morning, which mandated the restoration of their access.

Despite the court order, a Politico reporter's credentials were confiscated on Thursday, and an MS NOW reporter was also denied access, according to reports. In solidarity with the banned outlets, major broadcasters including Fox News, NBC, CBS, and ABC, which form the TV pool responsible for presidential coverage, have refused to cover presidential events.

ABC News, scheduled as the TV pool for Thursday's state visit, stated it would not cover any events until the White House provided confirmation that CNN journalists were allowed access.

As President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng, at the airport on Wednesday, many broadcast teams did not film the arrival ceremony.

During the welcoming ceremony, Trump praised Xi, noting their "friendship" and the "spectacular and very beautiful hospitality" he received in Beijing earlier in the year. Xi, in turn, stated that he and Trump have established a "personal rapport" and encouraged enhanced communication between their governments.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) issued a strong condemnation of the ban. WHCA president Jacqui Heinrich stated that the Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference, regardless of a president's personal approval of a news organization's coverage or reporting.

Major broadcast tents typically occupied by CNN and MS NOW on White House grounds remained vacant during the state dinner events, with correspondents opting to shoot live shots from outside the premises. It remains unclear when the White House will officially reinstate the outlets' credentials.