Melania lets CNN into her event days after Trump banned network from White House

The story began September 19 when Klein arrived at the White House, a day after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be allowed on the grounds. Klein was told her credential had been deactivated and was denied entry. Photographers subsequently captured her reporting from outside the White House with an empty credential holder in her hand. Reporters from MS NOW and Politico were also turned away and had their credentials confiscated.

The consequences of Trump's decision were also visible inside the White House complex, where CNN's normally occupied broadcast spaces sat empty. The dispute soon widened. CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit challenging their exclusion, arguing that the administration had violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.

Days later, a very different access decision emerged from the first lady's office. Melania's team approved Klein's credentials for her September 22 event in New York. CNN reported that Politico was also granted access. Klein's credential had been approved Sunday evening — one day after Trump's White House restrictions took effect. The decision did not reverse Trump's White House ban; instead, it allowed the affected outlets into a separate event controlled by the first lady's office.

Melania convened representatives from her Fostering the Future Together coalition during the 81st UN General Assembly. The first lady announced new technology partnerships and an expansion of the initiative to 57 participating countries, with representatives from countries including the UK, South Korea, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, Canada and the UAE attending. Her office said the coalition is focused on using technology and education to improve opportunities for children.

The contrast became even more visible when Trump encountered CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins at the United Nations on September 22. Collins asked Trump when the war with Iran would end, citing CNN polling showing that two-thirds of Americans did not believe the US was winning the conflict. Instead of immediately addressing the question, Trump turned his attention to CNN's presence. “I'm surprised that CNN is here covering me,” Trump told Collins, adding, “You should not be here covering me.” When Collins replied, “The United Nations allowed us in, sir,” Trump repeated that CNN should not be covering him. Collins then repeated her question about Iran. Trump responded, “We're making a lot of progress. Our country is doing really, really well.” CNN was able to cover the president at the UN because its journalists were credentialed by the United Nations; Trump's restrictions applied to the network's access to the White House.