Video: Trump's remarks inaudible at White House event amid press ban

US President Donald Trump's remarks were barely audible at a White House event after TV networks withdrew from the press pool following his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

In Short

• Trump unveils new South Lawn helipad after banning 3 outlets from White House
• Marine One sound obscures Trump's remarks, TV networks boycott coverage
• CNN, MS NOW and Politico file lawsuit against Trump's press ban move

US President Donald Trump’s press ban had an immediate consequence on Monday: his remarks at a White House event were barely audible after major TV networks withdrew from the press pool. The networks pulled out of pooled coverage after Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

Trump unveiled a new helipad on the White House South Lawn, cut a ribbon and interacted with construction workers. But with the TV pool cameras and microphone absent, the sound of Marine One drowned out his voice in live footage.

Bianca de la Garza, the host of the conservative outlet, Newsmax, pointed out that there was no microphone at the event because the White House press pool was not covering it. “We’re covering it here because we have the cameras,” de la Garza said, noting that the usual pool cameras were absent.

“So there is no microphone because the pool cameras aren’t there. So, maybe, Tim, this is one example of it backfiring just a little bit,” she said, speaking to NewsBusters’s Tim Graham.

“And obviously the ramifications are right here. Can’t hear what the President is saying,” she added.

As major TV networks boycotted Trump's Monday coverage, the White House subsequently launched 'Trump TV', a 24/7 streaming platform featuring administration announcements, presidential remarks and coverage related to the US President.

WHITE HOUSE POOL COVERAGE SUSPENDED

The five networks that make up the White House TV pool – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC – suspended pooled coverage of Trump on Monday after the US President barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House grounds, citing "fake news".

Trump's unusual coverage offered a striking example of the immediate impact of the White House press restrictions: without the rotating TV pool, there was no standard pool microphone or live feed to clearly capture Trump’s remarks.

HOW THE PRESS POOL WORKS

The White House press pool is a rotating group of journalists who travel with the president and share reporting, audio and video with other news organisations. The TV pool relies on the five major networks taking turns providing live footage.

Without the pool crew, there was little independent broadcast footage of Trump’s restricted-access helipad event. C-SPAN also said it would not air the ceremony because it relies on the TV pool and had no feed.

Trump announced on Friday (September 18) that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing them of “fake news”. Journalists from the three outlets were denied access the next day. The three news organisations filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to restore their access, arguing that the restrictions violate the First Amendment.

The decision by the TV networks to withdraw pooled coverage of Trump marked an unusual show of unity among normally competing broadcasters in response to the administration’s restrictions on press access.

MAMDANI PUSHES BACK ON TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE PRESS BAN

Earlier on Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pushed back on Trump's decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House coverage, saying all press members could cover their joint event.

Trump and Mamdani appeared together at Gracie Mansion to discuss affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety and immigration, including plans for a new neighbourhood above Queens.

“I told the President that we would have all the members of the press here on the lawn and that is something that I believe in,” Mamdani said as Trump stood by his side.

As Trump took the podium, a reporter asked if the press ban was meant to distract from the Iran war and high gas prices. Trump defended the move, saying the media had an obligation to report positively on his administration.

“I’m only doing it because I think the press also has an obligation. I never get anything positive. It’s always negative,” Trump said.

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