Donald Trump is responding to what he describes as a media blackout by launching a news-style channel of his own after barring several outlets from the White House.
The White House announced the debut of “TRUMP TV: The Essential Station” on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET Monday.
The livestream opened with clips from several classic television series before switching to 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 often used by major music artists, featuring a continuous stream of popular clips involving Trump 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 that gives his MAGA supporters a direct way to send messages to the president.
The White House promoted the launch of “TRUMP TV: The Essential Station” on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET Monday.
Donald Trump is attempting to bypass what he calls a media blackout by launching a platform of his own after banning several left-leaning news networks.
“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 service said.
Trump banned the outlets on Friday, labeling them “fake news” and criticizing their coverage of his administration.
Vice President JD Vance defended the decision 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,” Vance said.
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 banned outlets, issuing a strongly worded statement condemning the president’s decision.
Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC, which together make up the television pool, are protesting the White House ban by declining to send cameramen or reporters to cover Trump on Monday.
As a result, Trump’s Monday trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting will not be carried live by the major networks.
Conservative outlet Real America’s Voice will nevertheless be present to stream the event from the UN, while local television operator Hearst will cover the president’s White House events.
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Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton, the television pool chair responsible for coordinating presidential coverage, confirmed in an email Monday morning that no TV news personnel would be sent to the UN.
‘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 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.