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White House Defies Court Order, Bars CNN, MS NOW from State Dinner

September 25, 2026

Summary

CNN and MS NOW journalists were denied access to the White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite a federal judge ruling that their press credentials should be restored. This follows a temporary block on Trump's media ban, with other outlets returning to the White House.

How coverage differs

  • Left: Administration defies judge, bars journalists from covering state dinner Left-leaning outlets highlight the White House's defiance of a federal judge's order to restore press credentials for CNN and MS NOW, framing it as an attack on press freedom and a continuation of President Trump's efforts to control media access. They emphasize that these journalists were specifically barred from the state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite other previously banned outlets being readmitted.
  • Center: White House defies court order, restricts media access to state dinner Center outlets report that the White House denied access to CNN and MS NOW journalists for the state dinner, despite a federal judge's order to lift a media ban. They note that this action followed a temporary block on President Trump's media ban, which allowed other previously excluded outlets to return to the White House.

Coverage by lane

Left

  • CNN and MS Now journalists denied access to White House state dinner despite court ruling
  • CNN denied access to arrivals for White House state dinner - CNN

Center

  • Media outlets banned by Trump denied access to White House dinner despite judge's order
  • 3 US news outlets return to White House after judge orders Trump to lift ban - AP News

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