A new clash between Donald Trump and the American media erupted following the decision by major television networks to boycott White House events, with the U.S. president responding by launching his own platform, “Trump TV.”
The new service launched Monday night and, according to the administration, will broadcast 24 hours a day, featuring highlights, announcements, and statements from the Trump administration.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“TRUMP TV is now on the air. 24/7, updated in real time, featuring top highlights, announcements, and the latest news from the administration all in one place. Not every big moment made it to your TV—but now it can,” the administration stated.
Launched.
All the top hits, wins, and more. Streaming 24/7 on your phone or TV.
Advertisementhttps://t.co/3KwWkBZ69m pic.twitter.com/oIPfUA0Np9
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 22, 2026
The new platform’s first broadcast was a speech by Trump on July 3 at Mount Rushmore.
The clash with the major television networks
The launch of Trump TV followed the decision by the five major television networks participating in the so-called White House television pool to suspend their coverage of presidential events.
CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox News announced that the decision would remain in effect until further notice, in response to the White House’s ban on access for CNN, MSNBC, and Politico.
The networks did not broadcast the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new presidential helipad before Trump departed for a two-day visit to New York.
In a joint statement, members of the television pool stated:
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No government should restrict a news organization simply because it disagrees with its coverage.”
Trump was speaking at the opening of the new White House helipad. The television networks did not send cameras to cover the event. The audio from this White House livestream was badly distorted, and the president’s remarks were largely unintelligible. pic.twitter.com/n2x8jaJUVP
Advertisement— Misha Komadovsky (@komadovsky) September 21, 2026
The White House Broadcast and Trump’s Intervention
The White House broadcast the ceremony via its own social media channels, but the noise from Marine One—the presidential helicopter that was positioned behind the president with its engine running—made it difficult to hear his remarks clearly.
Later that day, some networks broadcast part of Trump’s press conference with New York City Mayor Zohran Madani.
Commenting on the networks’ decision, the U.S. president said:
“It’s interesting because they said they were going to boycott me, but they never boycott me, so I wasn’t particularly worried about it.”
He then pointed to the reporters standing outside Gracie Mansion and added: “Look at all this press.”
IT'S LIVE.
AdvertisementTRUMP TV IS STREAMING NOW. 24/7, updated in real time, with top past moments, announcements, and the latest and greatest from the administration—all in one place.
Not every big moment has made it onto your TV—now it can.
https://t.co/3KwWkBZ69m pic.twitter.com/g4v7n2J04s
Advertisement— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 21, 2026
Lawsuit Filed by CNN, MS NOW, and Politico
The standoff escalated further as several newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, announced that they would not publish photos of the president taken by their photographers until midnight, as a sign of solidarity with the television networks.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to regain their access to the White House after their reporters were removed from the premises.
In the 27-page complaint, the three organizations argue that the White House’s decision violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The defendants include Donald Trump, White House Communications Director Stephen Chung, Secret Service Director Sean Karan, and White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles.
The Legal Battle and Trump’s Response
A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. before Federal Judge Timothy Kelly, who, during Trump’s first term, had ruled that the White House could not bar then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta.
Trump criticized the choice of judge on Truth Social and stated that his administration would appeal if the ruling is not in their favor.
“They have a great judge on their side, a man who ruled in favor of Jim Acosta, who now seems to have vanished from the face of the earth. In other words, almost without a doubt, as usual, we will file an appeal,” he wrote.
“Fake news should not be allowed in the White House”
The crisis began when the White House refused to accredit CNN on Monday, the day the network was responsible for televising the president’s movements in New York, where he held meetings with Mandani and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Coverage of the president’s activities continued to be provided by journalists from newspapers, radio stations, and news agencies, as well as by photographers and the White House’s in-house production team.
Trump argued that media outlets he considers “fake news” should not be allowed access to the White House.
“It’s very bad for the country, very bad for national security… We’ll see how it plays out,” he said.
"It's just biased news. I think that these outlets have an obligation to be fair, and if they're fake news, I really think I have an obligation not to allow them…" – President Donald J. Trump
pic.twitter.com/67MuMR6rxn
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 21, 2026
Source: Proto Thema
