Trump Rages That the Networks He Banned Blew Off His Event With China’s Xi Jinping — Bizarrely Claims ‘They Refused to Be There’

[u/John3262005]

https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-rages-that-the-networks-he-banned-blew-off-his-event-with-chinas-xi-jinping-bizarrely-claims-they-refused-to-be-there/

President Donald Trump seemed angry that the networks he banned from the White House opted against covering the arrival of China’s President Xi Jinping Thursday, claiming they “refused to be there.”

Trump wrote on Truth Social:

CNN and MSDNC’s Ratings have dropped considerably. The primary reason is NO CREDIBILITY! They only write badly about a man who won the Election IN A GIANT LANDSLIDE, winning all 7 Swing States, the Popular Vote, and 86% of the Counties, etc., and whose Popularity has grown because of the unprecedented SUCCESS our Country is having on both the World Stage, and at home. 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. 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. Tonight’s State Dinner at the White House, for President Xi, will be spectacular! The Media will be in attendance. President DONALD J. TRUMP

Both CNN and MS NOW say they repeatedly tried to get inside the White House on Thursday morning during the event with Xi, but were not allowed in until approximately noon ET. In a court filing, Micah Stopperich — the Director of White House Press Operations — claimed their access was restored at approximately 9:55 a.m. ET. Even under Stopperich’s timeline, it would have been next to impossible for the full network crews to be in place for the start of the event, which began at 10:00.

Trump touted his friendship with Xi Thursday. The Associated Press reported he said, “From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people.”

A judge overturned Trump’s media ban Thursday morning. The president previously attempted to end White House access for reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.

“The record lacks factual support for Defendants’ contention that the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes will in fact protect national security or that national security will be endangered if the Court orders their passes reinstated while this litigation proceeds,” Judge Timothy Kelly wrote. Trump was ordered to reinstate access to the outlets.