Trump Helipad Ceremony Muted as Networks Boycott Over CNN Ban
Major TV networks skipped the White House event in protest, leaving the president's remarks drowned out by helicopter noise.
KEY POINTS
- Major networks boycotted Monday's White House helipad ceremony after Trump banned CNN, MS Now, and Politico.
- Absent press pool microphones left Trump's remarks drowned out by helicopter noise on the official livestream.
- The three barred outlets have sued, alleging a First Amendment violation.
- Trump announced the restrictions Friday, accusing the outlets of "FAKE NEWS."
- The dispute overshadowed the helipad unveiling meant to impress Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his Wednesday visit.
President Donald Trump unveiled a new White House helipad on Monday, but major television networks — ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News — refused to send cameras in protest of the administration's decision to bar CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the grounds. The networks argued the public has an interest in independent government coverage.
Without the press pool's microphones, the White House livestream audio was overwhelmed by a stationary Marine One helicopter, rendering Trump's ribbon-cutting remarks largely unintelligible. The president did not answer shouted questions before departing for New York.
“We are just leaving the White House Lawn on the maiden voyage from the newly built, and very beautiful, Heliport!”
Trump announced the restrictions on Friday, accusing the three outlets of "FAKE NEWS." MS Now, Politico, and CNN have since filed lawsuits challenging the ban as a First Amendment violation.
The ceremony was intended to showcase the helipad — featuring granite Trump claimed has a "million-year life" — ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit on Wednesday. The access dispute has overshadowed both the infrastructure project and the upcoming diplomatic engagement.
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