White House blocks journalists from Trump-Xi meeting despite court order

Reporters from CNN, Politico and MS NOW were denied entry to the White House on Thursday morning, despite a federal judge overturning President Donald Trump's media ban hours earlier. Some reporters had their credentials confiscated, while others were allowed inside. Lawyers for the outlets have requested an emergency court hearing, alleging the White House repeatedly violated the order to restore press access.

Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the ban likely violated the journalists' constitutional due process rights, with Trump initially citing "fake news" as the reason for the ban. The White House later claimed national security was the basis for denying the media access. It remains unclear if the initial denials were due to administrative delays or intentional obstruction.

The standoff is expected to affect TV coverage as Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House later in the day, followed by a state dinner. CNN confirmed some of their reporters were denied entry, including senior White House reporter Betsy Klein, while a producer was granted access. Politico reported one reporter was denied entry and had credentials confiscated, but a producer was allowed in.

MS NOW said both its White House reporter Laura Barrón-López and a producer were denied entry, though another producer was admitted. The White House has not yet commented on the ruling, and legal action may follow.