On Thursday, the White House press corps put on an almost theatrical display as they welcomed back reporters who had been barred from access.
Reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, who were kept out on Friday, re-entered the grounds following a 14-day temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee. Their colleagues greeted them enthusiastically, with applause, selfies, and serious moments captured of reporters walking back into the White House.
For liberal, elitist journalists, CNN/MS NOW/Politico returning is their version of the soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima. https://t.co/Wc2t02CSMl
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 24, 2026
BREAKING: CNN allowed BACK IN the White House to some rather strange media fanfare
Like a zoo animal being observed behind Perspex glass!
Looks like the admin has listened to the court ruling … their journos were denied access this morning when they tried to get in pic.twitter.com/xoYRJyxRDc
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) September 24, 2026
Honestly, it felt a bit over the top.
President Donald Trump announced the ban on Friday via a Truth Social post, stating that those outlets should not have preferential access while they “constantly write or report FICTION and LIES.” Regardless of opinions on the ban, access to the White House is a privilege. And presidents from both sides of the aisle have exercised discretion regarding which organizations receive that access. (RELATED: Who Stands Up For The Back Row?)
Instead of reflecting on why they were sidelined, they resorted to a type of fanfare more reminiscent of a child who hasn’t grasped the lesson rather than seasoned journalists. The fact that President Xi Jinping was visiting the White House seemed irrelevant; they chose to revel in their perceived victimhood. Their colleagues eagerly joined in, almost like applauding walruses, with networks that had previously pulled out of the TV pool now celebrating the returning journalists as heroes of their craft. (RELATED: Taiwan Arms, Rare Earths, Tariffs And Iran Hang Over Trump-Xi Summit)
The irony is amusing, especially coming from those who preach accountability. Treating these returning reporters as martyrs may resonate at their social gatherings, but it risks leading everyday Americans to feel that the press corps sees any scrutiny as an attack on press freedom. Among the self-proclaimed morally superior, self-reflection seems nonexistent.
Thursday’s display was awkward, largely because it was so predictable. The more they celebrated their returning peers, the more glaring their contradictions became.
