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The White House has launched ‘Trump TV’, revealing a 24/7 platform streaming Trump administration events.
This comes after Donald Trump revoked White House press credentials from reporters with CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Trump barred reporters and photographers from the three news outlets “as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!”
According to the White House, Trump TV will feature “top past moments, announcements, and the latest and greatest from the administration all in one place.” In its social media post, the White House added: “Not every big moment has made it on your tv, now it can.”
Critics were quick to slam this “state-run” TV platform, especially considering its timing, which coincides with the ban on traditional media outlets.
Many have spoken out on the Trump Administration’s efforts to control narratives about Trump, with Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom writing: “First, Trump banned independent news from the White House. Now, he’s launching what is quite literally state-run TV to try drowning out the fact that he and his corrupt administration are failing the American people. This is truly autocratic behavior from a failed President.”
Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s former White House Press Secretary during his first term, said that Trump TV is similar to what others use: “You know who else does this? Russia, China, and Iran to name a few…”
The clip promoting Trump TV has also raised a few eyebrows, as it uses of footage from shows like Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants, Parks and Recreation, Friends and The Simpsons, as well as movies like Home Alone and The Dark Knight – all soundtracked to The Buggles’ hit song ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ and with the words “Trump TV” flashing across the screen.
While this is not usual for the Trump administration, which routinely uses clips from shows and film references in AI slop posts, the sheer amount of clips from studios and networks like Warner Bros., Fox, Sony Pictures Television, Disney and more has many wondering whether there will be repercussions when it comes to copyright.
Trump has previously defied copyright complaints from musicians who have routinely demanded that their songs be excluded from any White House communications and promotions, but this feels like a whole new low to many.
Check out some of the reactions to Trump TV below:
Former White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) president Weijia Jiang said in a Fox News interview that the US does not have state-run media.
“An America cannot have state TV,” Jiang said. “That’s what makes America America … because you need independent actors to be able to be the observers. And if the government is only showing you what it wants, then you have to question: What are we missing?”
The White House launched Trump TV, a 24/7 stream on YouTube, on Monday.