ISLAMABAD: The White House on Tuesday launched Trump TV, a live-streaming service featuring a mix of classic moments, announcements, and highlights from the administration, all conveniently packaged in one place, according to a post on the social media platform X.
The rollout follows a major backlash from US television networks on Monday, when they collectively chose not to air President Trump's events, protesting his decision to ban three major news outlets from covering the White House.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico -- the three banned news networks -- also filed lawsuits after Trump ordered their exclusion on Friday, intensifying his ongoing conflict with the media. The networks did not cover Trump's inauguration of a new helipad or his attendance at the UN General Assembly.
On Saturday, reporters were barred from entering the White House grounds, and officials took away their press passes.
In their legal complaint, the organizations sought a temporary restraining order against the ban, arguing that it infringes on the First Amendment rights that protect a free press.
A US district judge has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday.
In another move, the five leading US broadcasters announced Monday that they were pausing their joint coverage of the White House, where one network films on behalf of all.
"The public deserves accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should limit a news organization just because it disagrees with its reporting," stated ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC in a joint statement.
Trump administration and the media clash coincides with a critical week as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the White House.
Media coverage of Trump’s interactions with foreign leaders at the UN in New York might not include live broadcasts due to the coverage pause.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony for the large granite helipad on the South Lawn was streamed only on the White House website, and Trump’s comments were hard to hear.
“The White House isn’t attacking the Free Press, which I value,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“It’s standing against the FAKE NEWS that’s been growing like cancer in our great country.”
Less than an hour before the Trump TV announcement, the White House shared a video clip of Trump alongside NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani outside Gracie Mansion, discussing the ongoing media conflict.
"These outlets have a duty to report fairly, and if they’re fake news, I feel I have to restrict them,” he remarked.
Vice President JD Vance, who was associated with CNN before entering politics, accused the TV channel of spreading “left-wing propaganda.”