U.S. television networks resumed coverage of President Donald Trump’s White House events on Friday, providing the first live pool footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit as a legal battle continues over restrictions on CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Trump banned the three outlets from the White House last week, but a federal judge ordered the administration to restore their access.
The White House television press pool broadcast footage of Xi’s arrival for tea with Trump, as well as the two leaders’ tour of the National Archives, which houses the U.S. Constitution.
CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC share the costs of covering the president and rotate coverage, providing pool footage to other outlets. The other networks’ refusal to set up cameras in solidarity meant there was no pool coverage of the first two days of Xi’s visit.
Trump has long relied on the media to shape his public image and promote his agenda, while regularly portraying news organisations as political adversaries. Since returning to office last year, his administration has taken an increasingly restrictive approach towards major news outlets, including limiting access to the Oval Office and other restricted areas.
As pool coverage resumed for Xi’s arrival at the White House on Friday, Trump declined to answer reporters’ questions about China and Iran, his media ban and a controversial taxpayer-funded television advert promoting his presidency. He later thanked reporters.
“We appreciate the fair coverage. It’s been very fair. We appreciate it,” Trump said alongside Xi.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the restored press access.
Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House complex over coverage he said was false or negative. Their access was reinstated on Thursday after a federal judge ruled that the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered the administration to restore their access immediately.
The three outlets sued Trump and members of his administration, arguing that the ban violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and the press, as well as their due process rights.
A coalition of press freedom groups and dozens of news organisations, including Reuters, later filed a legal brief supporting the outlets’ case.
The temporary ruling restored access, but the court has not yet issued a final decision on the broader challenge. The outlets have until 28 September to ask the judge to keep their access in place while the case proceeds.
Even if the outlets secure a permanent injunction against the ban, Trump could continue to pursue the case in federal court.
Trump has launched an extensive campaign against media organisations since returning to office last year, including personal attacks on journalists, restrictions on some outlets’ access and lawsuits against news organisations. He has also called on the Federal Communications Commission to strip broadcast stations of their licences.
On Thursday, Trump joked with photographers in the Oval Office about China, which imposes strict censorship across its media, having the “friendliest press corps” as he welcomed Xi to the White House.
The White House said on Thursday that it had restored CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access. CNN and MS NOW later said some of their journalists were denied access to cover Xi’s arrival for the White House state dinner, according to the Washington Post.
A lawyer for the three outlets warned in court this week that the White House could again seek to revoke their access as the litigation continues.
David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, which is seeking to merge with CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery, attended the Trump-Xi state dinner on Thursday.
Critics have raised concerns that Paramount-owned CBS News could tailor its coverage to favour Trump. Ellison has said he plans to create an editorial independence board for both CBS and CNN as part of the proposed deal.
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