Trump claims media boycott over Xi state dinner as outlets lose White House access
Donald Trump accused major news outlets of refusing to cover Chinese President Xi's White House visit, while the outlets say they were barred in protest of his ban.
On Truth Social, Donald Trump asserted that one outlet and MS NOW chose not to cover Chinese President Xi Jinping's White House greeting, calling the networks "Fake News" and blaming low ratings on their refusal. In reality, journalists from those outlets and additional media groups reported they were excluded after Trump announced a ban on one outlet, MS NOW and one outlet. MS NOW reporter Laura Barrón-López said she had filed credentials on time but was stopped by a press assistant and sent to speak with White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, with no clear response.
The ban prompted a lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations, and by Monday all members of the White House press pool suspended coverage of the president. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered a two-week reinstatement of access, which the Trump administration promptly defied, leaving the future of the credential dispute uncertain.
Why it matters
The standoff tests press freedom and the administration's authority over White House media access.
How this story developed
- Sep 19 Press‑freedom groups are preparing legal challenges to the announced ban.
- Sep 19 President Donald Trump acted on his threat to bar certain outlets, preventing MS NOW journalists from entering the White House on Saturday.
- Sep 19 An MS NOW producer’s badge worked while a photographer’s badge was deactivated.
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