Welcome to the Jim Acosta Morning Memo on a Friday morning after the First Amendment continued to fend off Trump’s assault while he entertained a fellow repressive dictator. The weekend’s almost here, so let’s get started.
And The Ban Played On: Leading off, Trump’s ban on the free press just wouldn’t die, as Trump continued to defy Judge Kelly’s order to immediately reinstate journalists from MS NOW, CNN, and Politico.
All three were denied entry to the White House Thursday morning, but by 10 am had restored access after the outlets complained to the judge.
But on Thursday evening, the White House denied access to the State Dinner, according to MS NOW.
But get this, Chinese state media WAS allowed to cover the event.
Pool’s Errand: And if you thought Trump couldn’t go any lower — well, nobody thinks that. But Trump and Xi held separate photo sprays for the US media and the Chinese state media.
According to photographers who spoke to the print pool reporter, Trump quote “made a joke about how the Chinese had the friendliest press corps.”
US and Chinese photographers were separated from the pool and brought in for two sprays with the president, according to two of the photographers who were present.
During the second spray, Trump made a joke about how the Chinese had the friendliest press corps.
Well why don’t you move THERE, then?
Gush Puppy: Speaking of Xi, Trump gushed about Xi on social media after the over-the-top arrival ceremony we covered yesterday, writing “I met President Xi at the plane (Airport!) yesterday and he looks strong, vibrant, and fit - Better than ever!”
Careful, you’re going to make Vladimir and Kim jealous!
Xi’s Gotta Have It: Trump put on quite the display of dictatorial tap-dancing. Trump regaled Xi on Thursday with not one but two military demonstrations on the White House grounds. Here’s a little taste of that.
That’ll be a great recruiting slogan — “Be All That Xi Can See!”
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Be Our Guest: Then Trump, dressed like Scrooge McDuck after he fired his tailor, clapped like a seal when his new best friend arrived for the lavish state dinner-slash-press crackdown.
Dictators Of a Feather: While the first couples posed for pictures, protesters could be heard outside the gates.
Glass-hole:
