USA · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Trump Inaugurates White House Helipad as Networks Skip Coverage After CNN Ban
Trump inaugurated White House helipad on South Lawn amid networks' boycott over CNN ban. CNN, MS Now and Politico were barred, triggering networks' refusal to pool coverage.
24 outlets told this the same way.
2 of 4 outlets skipped it: the White House streamed the event via its app or livestream after the boycott.
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Helipad, No Pool Audio
Donald Trump inaugurated a new White House helipad on the South Lawn and used oversized gold scissors to cut a red, white and blue ribbon, but thunder from a helicopter rendered his speech inaudible from start to finish. The thunder of a helicopter rendered the president’s speech inaudible “from start to finish,” while the sound of a helicopter drowned out his remarks “from start to finish.”
“The sound of a helicopter drowned out his remarks from start to finish.”
The White House event proceeded without the television pool microphones because major networks skipped coverage after CNN was banned from the White House grounds. The BBC of the dispute centered on the pool system, with the television pool chair Bryan Boughton saying, “There will be no replacement pool put in place.”
Networks Boycott, Lawsuit
Major US television networks suspended their video coverage of Trump after the administration banned journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico from entering the White House grounds. Bryan Boughton wrote, “This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the president,” while the networks agreed to suspend coverage after the barred outlets sued on Monday.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued the Trump administration in federal court in Washington, DC, seeking a temporary restraining order to restore access and credentials. The Hindustan Times quoted the outlets’ joint statement saying, “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists' credentials because it objected to our reporting.”
Next Steps and Stakes
Trump’s media standoff carried into his travel plans, with Deadline saying Trump was addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday and later hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington including for a state dinner. The Guardian said the ban against CNN meant that no broadcaster was covering Trump’s midday ribbon-cutting to unveil a new White House helipad, even though the White House promoted its own feed online branded “Trump TV.”
“No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
The Hindustan Times said The New York Times declined to publish or distribute photographs taken as part of the White House still photography pool on Monday, and Charlie Stadtlander said, “The New York Times will not publish or distribute any images taken as part of the White House still photography pool today.” The Guardian said the five news networks, including CNN, wrote in a joint statement, “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”