The White House has launched its own 24/7 streaming channel, branded “TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station,” just three days after barring three major news organizations from the White House. The channel went live at 7 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 21 on the White House’s official YouTube channel, promising to show “the Trump Administration’s biggest moments all in one place” with “top videos, major remarks, and must-see highlights streaming 24/7 and updated in real time.” Since then it has looped archival footage of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance alongside live announcements.
The launch followed a sweeping press crackdown. On Friday, September 18, President Trump announced on Truth Social that CNN, MS NOW and Politico were banned from the White House “effective immediately,” accusing them of constantly reporting “FAKE NEWS” and arguing that outlets “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President.” By Saturday, September 19, reporters from the three outlets were denied entry at the gates, with CNN reporting that correspondent Betsy Klein’s press pass was seized. Trump warned that “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”
The ban triggered an instant backlash from the broader press pool. The TV pool — CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and Fox News — declined to cover White House events, which left some official streams, including a helipad unveiling, without audio because no pool crew was present to provide a microphone. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the new channel “quite literally state-run TV,” saying “First, Trump banned independent news from the White House. Now, he’s launching what is quite literally state-run TV.”
The Department of Justice has defended the move, stating that White House access is a “privilege — not a right” and citing national security concerns. Meanwhile, CNN, Politico and MS NOW have filed a joint federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging First Amendment and due process violations. President Trump said Tuesday he would “probably” comply if a judge orders the ban reversed.
Trump TV is now featured on the White House website under “White House Live” and is also being promoted on the White House’s X account. It remains unclear if the service will expand beyond YouTube or permanently replace independent pool coverage, but it marks the first time the White House has operated a branded 24-hour channel while simultaneously excluding major independent outlets from the building.
photo courtesy : Reuters
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