Trump-Kim summit: Why was US media kicked out of Hanoi hotel

Seoul, Feb 27: The American side was left disappointed ahead of the historic second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-Un in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, as the former's media headquarters were abruptly moved out from a Hanoi hotel on Tuesday, February 26, as Kim was also staying there.

According to a tweet posted by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the White House media centre would move from Melia hotel downtown to the location of the international media centre located a few blocks away.

TV networks spent weeks setting up cameras and equipment shipped to Hanoi’s Melia hotel, the White House’s designated spot for Trump/KJU coverage.

KJU’s security flipped out. North Koreans yelling, demanding journalists in lobby not to take pictures or even look at the scene. https://t.co/sVTzQjPfnw

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 26, 2019

CNN's chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta, who made the headlines a few months ago over his open confrontation with Trump at the White House, said in a tweet: "The US press is being booted out of the hotel where we have spent days setting up our workspace."

The US media expressed more disappointment saying it was Kim's preference that has prevailed. CNN's Will Ripley said the second summit is being held in Hanoi which was of Kim's preference and not Danang which was sought by the US, Bloomberg reported.

Ripley also said that the journalists were given just an hour's time to move their equipment and other personal belongings.

Washington Post reporter John Hudson said Kim "doesn't want the American press filing centre at the same hotel he's staying at".

Trump and Kim were set to meet on Wednesday evening with what top White House sources said a "social dinner".