President Donald Trump on Monday inaugurated a new $6 million granite helipad on the White House South Lawn, but his remarks were inaudible after major television networks suspended coverage in response to a media ban imposed by the Trump administration. The event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the Marine One helicopter pad, was broadcast without audio after CNN, NBC, and ABC were barred from covering White House events over the weekend.
The White House’s official livestream, distributed via Newsmax, showed silent footage of Trump speaking as the idling Marine One helicopter drowned out any verbal remarks. The absence of the White House TV pool—which typically includes major networks—left the ceremony without audio, prompting criticism from journalists and social media users. Fox News was among the networks that continued to provide coverage, while others cited the administration’s decision to exclude certain outlets as the reason for their absence.
The helipad, featuring the Seal of the President of the United States and granite described by Trump as having a “million-year life,” was unveiled ahead of a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. Trump used oversized gold scissors to cut a red, white, and blue ribbon before boarding Marine One for a flight to New York. The event also included handshakes with officials in construction attire, though Trump did not respond to shouted questions due to the helicopter noise.
The administration has not provided an official explanation for the media ban, which targeted CNN, NBC, and ABC over what it called “fake news” coverage. The White House launched a new app on Monday, offering “real-time updates and live events” as an alternative to traditional press pool coverage. The incident has drawn comparisons to authoritarian practices, with critics arguing that the ban backfired by silencing the president’s own remarks.
The Marine One helicopter, which will use the new pad, has previously caused scorching on the White House lawn, according to reports. The helipad’s design includes extensive granite and is intended to accommodate the president’s travel needs. Trump has previously highlighted the pad’s features, including its durability and symbolic significance, during its construction phase.