Donald Trump has moved to counter what his administration describes as a media blackout, launching an “unfiltered” channel after barring several news organizations from the White House.
On Friday, Trump banned MS NOW, Politico and CNN from the White House, labeling them “fake news” and criticizing their coverage of his administration.
The White House launched TRUMP TV: The Essential Station on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET on Monday.
The livestream opened with teaser clips from several classic television series before cutting to a video 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 channel is a continuously running, 24-hour YouTube playlist featuring clips of Trump and his administration. No new material appeared to have been added at the time of its launch.
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!”
The White House promoted the launch of “TRUMP TV: The Essential Station” on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET on Monday
MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardner was seen reporting from across the street after being denied entry to the White House
Critics accused Trump of trying to control the press and shape coverage according to his own preferences.
“First, Trump banned independent news from the White House,” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on social media.
“Now, he’s launching what is quite literally state-run TV to try drowning out the fact that he and his corrupt administration are failing the American people. This is truly autocratic behavior from a failed President.”
Trump’s administration also continued its text-messaging program, giving supporters a way to receive messages from the President.
“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,” one message reportedly said.
Dorr said the alerts had been sent since last March and were intended to keep the public informed.
The launch of Trump TV comes as the President’s dispute with news organizations intensifies over critical coverage of his administration.
When reporters from the banned outlets arrived at the White House to work over the weekend, some had their press credentials revoked.
CNN Senior White House Reporter Betsy Klein reports near the White House complex on Saturday after Donald Trump revoked her credential
White House television correspondents prepare to go live while the CNN booth sits empty on the White House grounds
Major broadcasters rallied behind the barred outlets, issuing a forceful statement opposing the President’s decision.
Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC, which together make up the television pool, are protesting the White House’s action and decided not to send reporters or camera crews to cover Trump on Monday.
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As a result, Trump’s Monday trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting was not expected to receive coverage on the major networks.
Conservative outlet Real America’s Voice, or RAV, planned to stream the event from the United Nations, while local television operator Hearst was set to cover the President’s White House events.
Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton, who serves as chair of the television pool and oversees the logistics of presidential coverage, confirmed in an email sent Monday morning that no TV news personnel would be dispatched to the United Nations.
“This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President,” Boughton wrote.
“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 remains unclear when the major broadcasters will resume covering the President.
Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett also had her White House credential revoked after President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico
Trump launched his own channel in an effort to circumvent the media blackout following his ban on several left-leaning news organizations
CNN had been scheduled to provide the TV pool crew on Monday, before Trump barred the network, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
However, the White House’s official daily guidance issued Sunday said there would be no TV pool on Monday, leaving CNN’s scheduled 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,” the broadcasters said in a statement. “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
Asked for comment, the White House pointed to a social media post Trump had published earlier 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!”
Although CNN was barred from the White House, its reporters and crew continued covering Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he opened the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, indicating that the White House ban did not apply to other government departments.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they would challenge the administration’s decision in court.
“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,” the three outlets said in a statement released 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, whom Trump appointed during his first term, is presiding over the case and has dealt with a similar dispute before.
In 2018, Kelly ordered the White House to restore the credentials of CNN journalist Jim Acosta after his press pass was revoked following a heated exchange with Trump.
