President Donald Trump's newly launched "Trump TV" is borrowing from some of Hollywood's most recognizable shows and movies to promote the new White House-controlled streaming channel.
A promotional video posted on the White House's YouTube channel
features scenes from "Friends," "The Simpsons," "Seinfeld," "Family Guy," "Modern Family" and "Breaking Bad," as well as movies including "Home Alone" and "The Dark Knight."The montage draws from properties associated with several major media companies, including Warner Bros., Disney, Fox, Sony Pictures Television and NBCUniversal.
USA TODAY reached out to Warner Bros., Disney, Fox, Sony Pictures Television and NBCUniversal for a comment.
The video directs viewers to "Trump TV," which the administration
has promoted as "The Essentials Station." In a Sept. 21 social media post, the White House described the channel as "updated in real time, with top past moments, announcements, and the latest and greatest from the administration all in one place."
The White House announcement did not address whether permission was obtained to use the television and movie footage featured in the promotional video.
Trump TV launches amid White House press dispute
The channel’s rollout comes amid an escalating clash between the Trump administration and several major news organizations.
Trump announced Sept. 18 that he was barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the organizations of repeatedly publishing "fake news." He did not identify a particular report that prompted the decision.
Reporters from all three organizations were denied entry to the White House the following day. Some journalists also had their White House credentials and press badges confiscated.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against Trump and other administration officials, arguing that the ban amounted to retaliation over their reporting and violated their First Amendment and due process rights. The lawsuit asked the federal court to immediately block the ban on the outlets.
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration's decision, arguing that the organizations could continue covering the administration without receiving access to the White House complex.
"It's totally appropriate," said Vance. "He's not banning media outlets. What he's doing is saying 'we're not going to give you special access to the White House if you engage in what is effectively propaganda."
The dispute also disrupted the system that provides television footage of presidential events to news organizations. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News joined CNN in suspending their participation in the White House pool coverage after CNN was prevented from completing its scheduled pool assignment.
The launch of an administration-operated, around-the-clock video channel places "Trump TV" at the center of that coverage gap while the court considers how far the White House's authority over press access extends.
Contributors: Joey Garrison, Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Trump TV' launches amid media ban with promo clips from 'Family Guy,' 'Friends'
