White House launches Trump TV after CNN ban and US networks lawsuit
Donald Trump has launched Trump TV after major US TV networks refused to air coverage of his White House.
The 80-year-old President of the United States banned certain media outlets including CNN from its grounds, which led to four other broadcasters - ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC - agreeing not to cover events in solidarity with the network.
Bryan Boughton, Fox News’s Washington bureau chief and current TV pool chair, wrote in an email to members: "Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President.
"This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties."
This meant that Monday's (21.09.26) White House feed didn't include audio as Trump appeared at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new White House helipad.
CNN and the other four networks said in a joint statement: "The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.
"No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting.”
Following the TV pool's decision, the White House launched Trump TV, which is said to be "streaming 24/7".
The YouTube channel, which went live at 7pm EST, is embedded on the White House website's livestream page.
The description reads: "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.
Hours earlier, CNN, MSNOW and Politico filed a federal lawsuit against the White House in response to the ban.
They have argued that the action taken by Trump's White House violates the First Amendment by banning them over coverage the president doesn't approve of, plus their Fifth Amendment rights.
The outlets said in the filing: "This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment."
They have requested that a federal judge temporarily block the ban, and restore the reporters' passes for the White House.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.perthnow.com.au — the content belongs to PerthNow.
