Trump Launches Trump TV with Pop Culture Clips Amid Media Ban Controversy

• President Trump launches Trump TV in response to White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists, sparking First Amendment lawsuit from the news outlets.
• Major networks ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News suspend White House coverage in solidarity with banned journalists, following White House’s decision to prevent CNN from fulfilling pool duties.
• Trump TV debuts with a YouTube montage of pop culture clips, drawing criticism on Instagram for being perceived as state-run media and a propaganda machine.

The media showdown continues. Donald Trumpjust unveiled Trump TV in the wake of the unprecedented White House ban on journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. 

In the days since the President announced he would bar reporters from those news outlets from accessing the White House, all three have filed a First Amendment lawsuit. Per CNN, the suit says, “This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles.” 

“Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” said the outlets in a statement. In response, the five major networks (ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News) announced they would suspend White House coverage. According to The New York Times, Washington bureau chief at Fox News Bryan Boughton said in a note to television pool members, “Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage for the president…This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.” The pool will continue to cover news involving the Vice President and other key officials.

On Monday, September 21, Trump debuted his new media platform, Trump TV: The Essentials Station, with a YouTube montage of pop culture clips from The Office, Seinfeld, Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Modern Family, Friends, Parks & Rec, Home Alone, and more set to the iconic Buggles song ‘Video Killed the Radio Star.’ 

Along with the YouTube announcement, the White House also shared the video on Instagram. And if you’re wondering what Trump TV is, the caption with the clip explains (while also seeming to slam the major news networks’ coverage of the White House), “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. Not every big moment has made it on your TV, now it can.” 

What do Americans think about Trump TV?

Based on the Instagram comments, the reviews aren’t great. One commenter quipped, “Oh I’m so excited THIS was the “Big Announcement.” I was worried it was going to be cheaper gas prices, affordable housing and justice for children who have been abused *can’t roll my eyes hard enough,” as others added, “Of course the reality TV star president has a Tax-payer funded Propaganda channel,” and “This is giving North Korea vibes.”

The comments didn’t end there. Others responded to the post with, “Hey you guys, State-run media is here”, “Oh. State sanctioned TV. Yay. Not fascist at all”, “Who asked for this? Wasting taxpayer dollars”, “Wow, like right after he does that whole media ban. Weird,” and “Propaganda machine working overtime.” 

The response wasn’t much better on X. Critics blasted Trump TV, calling it fascist, an embarrassment, and a way to monetize the presidency.

This story was originally published byParadeon Sep 22, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred