Reporter Sian Hewitt was tasked with tuning in to Donald Trump's new TV channel to find out just how unfiltered the 'behind the scenes' look into the leader of the free world really is. Her verdict: it is anything but the Truman Show.
A channel launched amid a media war
The US President has been openly critical about the “serious restrictions” on free speech in the UK, but this only seems to be an issue when it comes to everyone else. Free speech criticising him? Absolutely not.
Just days ago he banned a number of news outlets from the White House, purely because he does not like what they write. Trump and his team axed CNN, MS Now and Politico, who have tried to fight back, but have been rebuffed.
The press organisations have come together and sued, saying that their ban violates the First Amendment and their due-process rights. In response the White House said the First Amendment protected the outlets’ right to publish but "did not entitle them to a hard pass, briefing-room seat or place in the press pool."
The war has waged on and now ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC have all suspended pooled television coverage of presidential events. The networks said the public had "a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government" and that an administration should not stop any one from reporting on the news, purely because they do not like the coverage.
Step in Trump TV
As things continue to rumble on, Trump has come up with his own answer - launching a new 24/7 livestream channel of his life on YouTube called Trump TV. Similar to the Russian media, the leader of the free world has launched a state-programmed streaming channel - and it is all funded by the taxpayer.
Hewitt, who has watched hundreds of Trump’s speeches, interviews, and rallies in the course of her work, said that regardless of your opinion on his policies and beliefs, he is a man who can talk to an audience. He is born and bred a reality star and those talents have not left him now he has one of the biggest jobs in the world.
Her introduction into Trump TV started with a speech at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's 2026 Policy Conference. The host was bigging up Trump, with an introduction that was glowing to say the least. Incoming was the man who was "turning the country around", was a "star to us all", the one who had "defied all odds" to be leading the country, and the one who had "not stopped" to bring the US "back to its greatness."
Then he arrived, entering at stage left to rapturous cheers and clapping, just drinking it all in. Then he stayed there, just standing and watching. It almost got a bit awkward with how long he stood saying nothing. Hewitt thinks he was waiting for the song to end but it was a very awkward two minutes. At one point he even started dancing along.
Not updated in real time
On another occasion on Trump TV, Donald had arrived at the UN, but weirdly, the channel stopped broadcasting there and then switched to an old policy announcement which was an old recording. It seemed to go against the point of the whole thing.
When questioned about this, the White House said the channel’s purpose was to replay what they regard as the president’s "greatest hits," including moments it believes the media do not cover as they want them to. They said that the UN appearance and address would air later that day and encouraged viewers to tune in.
The White House describes Trump TV: The Essentials Station as a place to watch the administration’s "biggest moments with top videos, major remarks, and must-see highlights" streaming continuously and "updated in real time." But it is not following Trump around as he goes about his daily business - instead it is archived speeches, policy announcements, promotional films and appearances by administration officials which all paint Trump in a lovely - very much edited - light.
It is not live. The "essential moments" are not those happening live. They are simply the moments they deem as "essential" and those the White House wants you to see. Simply put, not much of a democratic move.
