# Trump Bans CNN, MS NOW From Covering Xi State Dinner

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/trump-bans-cnn-ms-now-from-covering-xi-state-dinner
- Published: 2026-09-25T13:09:14.732990+00:00
- Topics: trump-administration, china, press-freedom, state-dinner, media-relations

## What the left says
- Barring CNN and MS NOW from a major diplomatic event reflects a broader pattern of punishing news outlets for critical coverage rather than addressing any legitimate security concern.
- A federal judge already blocked enforcement of the ban, suggesting the exclusion lacked proper legal or factual justification.
- Denying press access to a historic state visit undermines the public's right to independent scrutiny of high-stakes diplomacy with China.
- Framing the boycott by major networks as a ratings failure, rather than acknowledging it as a principled stand against exclusion, shifts blame away from the administration's own actions.

## What the right says
- The administration has the authority to determine press access to sensitive diplomatic events, especially when national security considerations are cited.
- CNN and MS NOW's decision not to cover the arrival ceremony despite other outlets attending suggests the networks prioritized a political stand over informing their audiences.
- Declining ratings for CNN and MSNBC reflect a longstanding credibility problem that predates and is separate from this particular access dispute.
- The state visit itself, including the ceremonial welcome and dinner, was a significant diplomatic success worth highlighting regardless of which networks chose to broadcast it.

## Common ground
- CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were banned from White House press access last week, and the Xi state dinner was not televised by major U.S. networks as a result.
- A federal judge issued an order blocking enforcement of the ban amid ongoing litigation from the affected outlets.
- The state visit included a formal arrival ceremony, military flyover, and a state dinner attended by high-profile government officials and business leaders.
- Press access to major diplomatic events is a matter of legitimate public interest for both the administration and the news industry.

## Sources
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/whats-menu-trumps-state-dinner-chinas-xi-american-staple-notably-missing) (Right)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-whats-on-trumps-schedule-for-xis-state-visit) (Right)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-whats-on-the-menu-as-trump-hosts-xi-for-white-house-state-dinner) (Right)
- [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/white-house-releases-guest-list-china-state-dinner?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right)
- [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-xi-jinping-china/2026/09/24/id/1270599) (Right)
- [Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-lashes-out-at-boycott-after-media-ban-cnn-politico-ms-now-12486758) (Lean Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6107882-trump-xi-state-dinner-menu/) (Center)

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