US TV networks resume coverage of Trump events after CNN access restored by court

US television networks have resumed shared pool coverage of President Donald Trump after a federal court ordered the temporary restoration of White House credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The networks had suspended pooled coverage in solidarity with CNN, leaving Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit largely uncovered. Following Judge Timothy Kelly's 14-day temporary restraining order, CBS and CNN successfully shared pool footage of Trump and Xi's meetings on September 25, 2026.

Resumption of shared pool coverage

• ▪US television networks resumed shared pool coverage of President Donald Trump on September 25, 2026, following the restoration of CNN's White House credentials.
• ▪CBS provided pool coverage of President Donald Trump hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for tea at the White House on September 25, 2026.
• ▪CNN provided shared pool coverage of President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping touring the National Archives on September 25, 2026.

Network boycott of White House coverage

• ▪No major American television network aired live coverage of the White House on September 24, 2026, due to the White House TV press pool's refusal to set up cameras
• ▪The White House TV press pool, consisting of ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX News, and NBC, suspended pooled coverage of President Donald Trump in solidarity with banned member CNN.

Court ruling on press credentials

• ▪U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the White House to restore press credentials to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico while their litigation proceeds
• ▪Judge Timothy Kelly set a September 28, 2026, deadline for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico to request a preliminary injunction to extend his block on the White House's ban on them
• ▪Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that news outlets CNN, MS NOW, and Politico would likely succeed on their due process claim, noting that journalists are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge White House credential withdrawals

Delays in restoring reporter access

• ▪The White House made entry badges available from the Secret Service at 9:55 a.m. on September 24, 2026, but reporters were delayed from entering the White House grounds until about noon
• ▪White House operations officials stated in a court filing that they required time to locate, reactivate, and deliver the CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters' entry badges, which took two hours

Access issues at the state dinner

• ▪CNN and MS NOW stated they were denied access to Chinese President Xi Jinping's state dinner arrival on September 24, 2026, despite Judge Timothy Kelly's temporary restraining order
• ▪Reporters and producers from other networks were allowed to attend Chinese President Xi Jinping's state dinner arrival on September 24, 2026.

White House ban on news outlets

• ▪The Trump administration argued in court that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico violated professional standards and published sensitive or classified information that threatened national security.
• ▪CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump and senior White House officials, alleging the ban violated their First Amendment and due process rights.
• ▪President Donald Trump announced on September 18, 2026, that the White House was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House complex

Debatable claims

• ▪The press pool was justified in suspending coverage in solidarity with banned networks
• ▪The court's temporary restraining order goes too far in interfering with White House operations
• ▪The White House is justified in revoking credentials of outlets that violate professional standards
• ▪The White House must provide formal due process before revoking a journalist's press credentials