CBS and CNN are set to resume their collective television coverage of President Trump on Friday after a standoff that left TV cameras dark during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. CBS will serve as the television pool for Xi Jinping's arrival at the White House at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, when Trump and the first lady will greet the Chinese leader and his wife. CNN's cameras are set up at the National Archives, where Trump will lead Xi for a visit around lunchtime.

The networks suspended the TV pool on Monday after Trump barred CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House; those outlets regained access Thursday via a federal judge's order. ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC continued to stand down, seeking written confirmation that CNN would return to the pool rotation. CNN received an email from the White House with logistical instructions for Friday's shoot at the National Archives, which three people briefed on internal discussions said was taken as de facto confirmation.

Without a TV pool, Xi's visit had not been carried live on major American networks. Trump described the visit as “Actually made for Television” on social media, claiming networks had “refused” to cover it, without mentioning his administration's role in barring outlets. A note to TV pool subscribers stated the networks could modify plans depending on how the day played out, with the goal of returning to normal capacity.

CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes confirmed on-air that pool coverage would restart, saying, “We’ll actually see the president and President Xi on our TV screens.”.