Trump complains CNN, MS NOW didn’t cover ‘made for Television’ Xi visit

President Trump blasted CNN and MS NOW on Thursday over their coverage of his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which did not include live video coverage and came as a federal judge reinstated the outlets’ White House access.

“CNN 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,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

“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,” he continued.

The president’s move to bar the two networks plus Politico from the White House last weekend prompted the TV pool, a rotating group of journalists from each of the major networks, to refrain from covering the president’s daily activities.

The move was made in solidarity with CNN, a member of the pool that typically covers the president’s movements and statements.

A judge overnight Thursday ruled the Trump administration violated the due process rights of the outlets in banning them from the White House, with journalists for the three outlets granted access again Thursday afternoon.

There was no pool covering the president during Xi’s arrival Wednesday evening and his visit to the White House. As of Thursday afternoon, it was unclear when pool coverage would resume or if the White House would credential CNN for pool coverage when the network spot in the rotation comes up again.

Journalists working for the outlets were not allowed back onto the White House grounds until after noon Thursday.

Trump banned three outlets over what he called “fake news” reporting, while the Department of Justice argued in court this week their journalism put national security at risk.

The president has routinely railed against mainstream media coverage of his administration, most recently about the war in Iran and voter concerns about the economy.

“That’s why they have such poor Ratings,” Trump said of MS NOW and CNN. “Tonight’s State Dinner at the White House, for President Xi, will be spectacular! The Media will be in attendance.”