The White House barred CNN and MS NOW staff from covering Xi Jinping’s arrival at Thursday’s state dinner after reissuing their press passes that morning under a judge’s order. Paramount CEO David Ellison attended as his company pursues a Warner Bros. Discovery takeover.
Paramount is seeking to close its $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent, after reaching a settlement this week with 12 Democratic state attorneys general. A judge is still reviewing the proposed settlement; the Justice Department approved the deal earlier this year without conditions.
Trump had previously barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from covering White House events. The outlets sued, and a judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the White House to restore their access. CNN reported that a press wrangler turned away a producer and reporter and directed them to White House communications director Steven Cheung.
