Trump LOCKED CNN out of the Xi state dinner— then went online and told America the network refused to show up.
In solidarity, NONE of the major US networks provided live broadcast video of the event. Instead it was streamed on YouTube by the White House.
Trump posted: “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. That’s why they have such poor Ratings.”
CNN says its journalists showed up to cover the dinner arrival and were blocked from entering. Other networks reporters and producers were allowed in.
MS NOW’s Laura Barrón-López was also blocked at the door. When she asked why, a staffer told her to “talk to Steven.”
A federal judge had just ordered the administration to restore CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s White House press passes after Trump banned all three last week. Judge Timothy Kelly, who Trump nominated, temporarily blocked the ban for 14 days.
CNN had been trying all morning to cover the morning ceremony, too. Reporter Betsy Klein repeatedly went to the White House gate and was denied entry. A CNN camera operator had his badge confiscated even after the court order.
The White House told the courts they had reactivated the affected passes, while the outlets say they were still blocked at the gates. Their reporters were finally back on the grounds around noon.
Before the dinner, Trump had posted: “The Media will be in attendance.”
Maybe he meant CCP state media, including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, and CGTN (China Global Television Network), all of which were allowed in.
Trump’s live YouTube stream had just 18,000 views.
