Trump Inaugurates New White House Helipad as Networks Skip Coverage
· World · The Hindu, PBS
Donald Trump inaugurated a new White House helipad on September 21, 2026, using oversized gold scissors to cut a ribbon on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C. The ceremony occurred amid a protest by major U.S. television networks, which skipped coverage after Trump barred CNN from White House grounds. Trump did not answer reporters' questions before boarding Marine One, instead posting on social media about the helipad's maiden voyage. ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News collectively agreed to skip the event in solidarity with CNN, which is suing Trump over the ban. The article notes Trump had previously claimed the helipad would impress Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was scheduled to visit on September 23, 2026.
Why it matters
The network boycott highlights escalating tensions between the Trump administration and major news outlets over press access, potentially limiting public visibility of presidential activities. It also underscores the administration's efforts to control media narratives amid declining approval ratings ahead of the 2026 election.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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