The White House launched a 24/7 streaming service called “TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station” on Monday as major United States television networks suspended their shared presidential pool coverage.
The stream provides continuous video of administration announcements, presidential remarks, past speeches and selected highlights. The official White House account announced the launch on social media, stating: “IT’S LIVE. TRUMP 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.”
The development followed a decision by the White House to bar journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from its grounds. President Donald Trump announced the restriction on September 18, citing what he described as “fake news” coverage by those outlets. The affected organisations filed a lawsuit seeking restoration of access.
ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC, which rotate responsibility for the presidential television pool, responded by suspending coverage of events designated as pool coverage of the president. Fox News Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton, serving as pool chair, informed members that no replacement pool would be put in place after the White House prevented CNN from fulfilling its assigned duties.
In a joint statement, the networks said: “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”