The White House has launched a new live-streaming platform on YouTube called “TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station,” just days after several media outlets were barred from the White House press pool.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico were restricted from White House access on Friday, September 18, after U.S. President Donald Trump accused the outlets of reporting what he called “fiction and lies” about his administration.
The White House said the new platform is intended to deliver information directly to the public while bypassing what it described as “fake news” media outlets.
Its first broadcast featured a recording of Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Critics, however, have condemned the move, with some describing it as an attempt by the administration to establish what they called “state media.”
The White House defended its decision, arguing that the First Amendment does not guarantee media organizations permanent press passes, assigned seats in the briefing room, or automatic access to the presidential press pool.
The administration also maintained that restricting media access is not unprecedented, citing instances during the administrations of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden when some news organizations and journalists also faced access restrictions.
(Photo Courtesy: The White House)
