Trump Unveils White House Helipad As Major Networks Skip Ceremony After 3 Outlets Banned
US President Donald Trump unveiled a new helicopter landing pad at the White House on Monday, but the ceremony was overshadowed by an escalating First Amendment fight after major US broadcasters suspended their traditional pooled coverage in protest over his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the presidential complex.
Trump used oversized gold scissors to cut a red, white and blue ribbon before shaking hands with officials in construction smocks and hardhats. He did not answer shouted questions as the noise from his waiting helicopter drowned out reporters before he boarded Marine One for New York.
The unusual media standoff began after Trump announced on Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer have access to the White House. The three outlets filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, arguing that their journalists' credentials were revoked without notice or process and that the move violated the First Amendment.
CNN had been scheduled to provide Monday's television pool coverage under a rotating arrangement in which one broadcaster supplies footage for other major networks. Instead, ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC jointly suspended the pool.
"The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting," the broadcasters said.
The decision means there will be no pooled television coverage of Trump's New York trip for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to meet world leaders.
Trump has defended the restrictions, describing the media as a "cancer" and saying his administration was targeting "FAKE NEWS". He told reporters the decision was based on what he called "cumulative stories over the last two years" and accused the outlets of trying to diminish Republicans and his administration.
The lawsuit seeks to restore the outlets' access and asks a court to declare the ban unconstitutional. The White House has not provided a detailed explanation beyond Trump's public comments.
Meanwhile, Trump used the helipad ceremony to showcase a project he has repeatedly promoted ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival on Wednesday. The president has highlighted its extensive granite construction and said it would impress visiting dignitaries.
The helipad work began in June and was completed ahead of Xi's state visit. Trump has said the project could cost up to USD 6 million and has argued that a new landing surface was necessary because newer Marine One helicopters are too powerful to land repeatedly on the White House lawn without damaging it.
The media access dispute, however, has pushed the White House helipad project into the background as Trump's administration faces growing legal and constitutional questions over how presidential access to the press should be managed.