Donald Trump has responded to what he describes as a media blackout by launching an “unfiltered” White House video channel after barring several news outlets from parts of the administration’s coverage.
The White House premiered “TRUMP TV: The Essential Station” on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night.
The broadcast opened with teaser clips from several classic television series before switching to footage of a speech Trump delivered at Mount Rushmore in July.
“Welcome to TrumpTV. The press, in some cases, reported inaccurately or not at all on the Administration’s many record breaking accomplishments on behalf of all Americans,” Deputy Assistant to the President Kaelan Dorr wrote on social media.
“Trump TV is a 24/7 livestream of the Administration’s greatest hits, unfiltered. All on the White House YouTube Channel and Official App. ENJOY!!”
The format resembles the 24-hour YouTube playlists used by major music artists, continuously streaming popular clips featuring the President and his administration.
The YouTube description says: “Watch the Trump Administration’s biggest moments all in one place. Top videos, major remarks, and must-see highlights streaming 24/7 and updated in real time. Stay informed and stay up to date!”
Trump is also introducing a text-messaging service giving MAGA supporters a way to send messages directly to the President.
The White House promoted the launch of “TRUMP TV: The Essential Station” on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET Monday night.
Donald Trump is seeking to bypass what he calls a media blackout after barring several left-leaning news networks, launching a channel of his own.
MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardner was seen reporting from across the street after being denied entry to the White House.
“This is the official number of President Trump and the White House. We launched this number to stay directly connected with YOU, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. We’ll share important updates and ways you can get involved,” the message read.
Trump barred the outlets on Friday, labeling them “fake news” and criticizing their coverage of his administration.
Vice President JD Vance defended the decision on Monday, saying, “It’s about basic fairness.”
“They can still report. They still have the access to free speech. They’re just not going to get an office in the White House anymore.”
Reporters from the affected outlets who arrived at the White House to work over the weekend saw some of their press passes revoked.
Major broadcasters rallied behind the barred outlets, issuing a strongly worded statement condemning the President’s decision.
Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC—collectively known as the television pool—are protesting the White House’s move and decided not to send cameramen or reporters to cover Trump on Monday.
As a result, the major networks did not air coverage of Trump’s Monday trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein reported near the White House complex on Saturday after Donald Trump revoked her credential.
The President has also threatened that other outlets could be next in the line of fire. He called the New York Times and the Washington Post ‘fake news’
Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett has also had her White House credential revoked following President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico
Still, the conservative outlet Real America’s Voice (RAV) will be on hand to stream the event from the UN while local TV operator Hearst will cover the president’s White House events.
Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton, who serves as TV pool chair and is responsible for the logistics of presidential coverage, confirmed the decision to not send any TV news personnel to the UN in an email sent out on Monday morning.
‘This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President,’ Boughton writes.
‘This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.’
It is unclear when the major broadcasters will resume coverage of the president.
CNN was previously scheduled to serve as the TV pool crew on Monday, but that was before Trump banned that outlet, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
However, the official daily guidance sent out by the White House on Sunday stated that there would be no TV pool on Monday, leaving CNN’s rotation off the list.
Trump has also threatened to take action against the New York Times and the Washington Post.
The President has also threatened that other outlets could be next in the line of fire. He called the New York Times and the Washington Post ‘fake news’
‘The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,’ they said in a statement. ‘No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.’
When pressed for comment, the White House responded with a social media post from the president published earlier on Monday morning.
‘The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,’ Trump wrote. ‘It is instituting an assault on the fake news, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America.’
‘It is corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control. It is a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, now!’
While CNN was banned from the White House, its reporters and crew still covered Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he opened the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, showing that the White House ban does not extend to other departments.
The three media outlets Trump targeted, CNN, MS NOW and Politico, announced they would combat the administration in court over the ban.
‘This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,’ they said in a statement released on Monday.
‘Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,’ the statement continued.
‘Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.’
US District Judge Timothy Kelly, who Trump appointed in his first term, is presiding over the case and is on familiar legal ground.
In 2018, he ordered the White House to restore CNN journalist Jim Acosta’s credentials after his press pass was pulled following a heated clash with Trump.
