Trump TV goes live as White House feud with US media escalates

The White House has launched Trump TV, a free 24/7 online stream featuring Donald Trump’s speeches, announcements and administration highlights, as a legal and political dispute over White House press access intensifies.

The White House has launched a round-the-clock livestream dubbed “TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station,” featuring presidential speeches, announcements and curated administration highlights amid an escalating dispute with several major US news organisations.

The stream went live Monday on the official White House YouTube channel. Rather than a new television network or standalone streaming service, Trump TV is a continuous online broadcast featuring existing and new administration footage.

Its official description promises the Trump administration’s “biggest moments,” along with top videos, major remarks and other highlights. The stream runs 24 hours a day and is updated in real time.

The broadcast opened with a recording of US President Donald Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Trump TV is available free on the official White House YouTube channel. The same feed is embedded on the White House website. No separate subscription, television provider or dedicated app is required.

The initiative comes days after Trump barred reporters and photographers from CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House grounds, accusing the outlets of publishing “fake news.”

CNN, Politico and MS NOW filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking to overturn the restrictions. The outlets argue that the ban amounts to unconstitutional retaliation over their coverage and viewpoint discrimination, and that their credentials were revoked without notice or due process.

The dispute prompted an unusual show of solidarity among major television networks. After CNN was prevented from carrying out its scheduled duties as the designated White House television pool broadcaster, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC suspended their participation in pooled television coverage.

The networks said the public has a “vital interest” in receiving independent information about the government and argued that administrations should not restrict news organisations because they object to their reporting.

Under the pool system, television networks take turns providing a camera crew, microphones and a shared feed from presidential events for use by other broadcasters.

The effects of the television pool suspension were apparent during Monday’s unveiling of a new presidential helipad. Viewers watching the official White House feed could see Trump speaking but struggled to hear his remarks because the television pool’s boom microphone was absent.

Print, radio and wire pool reporting continued, while several organisations also withheld photography and other visual coverage.

Trump responded on Truth Social by reiterating his criticism of the news organisations and suggesting his administration would appeal an unfavourable court ruling.