U.S. TV networks refused to cover Xi Jinping's arrival amid the conflict with Trump
Leading U.S. television networks ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC declined to participate in a joint live broadcast of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, where he was met by U.S. President Donald Trump. This came amid a conflict between the White House and a number of American media outlets.
The reason was the White House press pool’s decision to suspend joint coverage of events involving the U.S. president after the Trump administration barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from working on the White House grounds.
On September 19, journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were barred from the White House, and their press passes were deactivated. The day before, Donald Trump stated that he was barring these outlets from access due to their coverage of his administration, which he called “FAKE NEWS.”
Following this, the five broadcasters that make up the television pool announced they would cease joint coverage of presidential events. The pool’s statement noted that there would be no replacement for CNN, as the White House had not allowed the network to fulfill its assigned duties.
The Donald Trump administration, meanwhile, maintains that press access to the White House is a privilege, not a right, while CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are challenging the decision in court.
On September 23, Xi Jinping arrived in the U.S. for a state visit that will last until September 25. His plane landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally welcomed Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The ceremony included a red carpet, an honor guard, and military elements of protocol.
Donald Trump’s personal appearance at the meeting with the Chinese leader was an unusual move in terms of protocol, as heads of state do not always meet foreign leaders directly at the plane.
Thus, Xi Jinping’s arrival in the U.S. took place against the backdrop of an unprecedented conflict between the Trump administration and part of the American media, which led the White House television pool to refuse to provide joint coverage of presidential events.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump announced a ban on access to the White House for CNN, MSNBC, and Politico. He announced the decision on Truth Social and later, in the Oval Office, called these media outlets “fake news” and described his decision as a “ban on the free press.”
The U.S. Department of Justice urged a federal judge not to block President Donald Trump’s complete ban on access to the White House for MS NOW, CNN, and Politico. In a court filing, the department stated that access to the White House grounds is a privilege, not a right.
In Washington, D.C., a federal district court began hearing, via teleconference, a lawsuit filed by MS NOW, CNN, and Politico challenging President Donald Trump’s ban on these media outlets’ access to the White House. The news organizations are asking the court to block further restrictions on their journalists’ access to the White House.
