Major networks boycott White House press pool during Xi state visit
ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News declined to participate in the White House television pool on Thursday, awaiting confirmation that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico had their access fully restored after a judge ruled in their favor. The networks' absence meant no major network coverage of President Trump's events with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Print and radio reporters continued to cover the visit, while the banned outlets returned to the grounds midday.
The boycott left the White House television pool without major network representation during Xi's visit, meaning arrival and ceremony footage went unshot by ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. Print and radio journalists continued coverage, and the banned outlets returned midday after a judge's ruling, though they were initially denied access that morning.
Tensions also emerged between Chinese journalists and Secret Service over positioning on the South Lawn, with staff physically moving some reporters. Trump used Truth Social to accuse the outlets of refusing coverage, while the previously banned correspondents resumed live shots from the grounds. The judge's decision restored CNN, MS NOW, and Politico access, though the morning denial added confusion to an already crowded press environment.
This dispute could shape how the public receives coverage of major diplomatic events, as the major networks' absence limited broadcast footage of a high-stakes state visit. It may also set a precedent for press access disputes, potentially influencing how future administrations handle media bans and how outlets coordinate collective responses. The judge's ruling could reinforce legal protections for press access, while the networks' solidarity may signal a shift in how media organizations push back against White House restrictions.