US President Donald Trump’s inauguration of a new White House helipad took place without normal television pool coverage on Monday, after major US networks declined to participate in a boycott linked to restrictions on White House media access.
Trump cut a red, white and blue ribbon on the White House South Lawn before preparing to leave for New York, but his remarks at the ceremony could not be heard clearly because of the noise from the helicopter waiting nearby.
The absence of clear audio followed a decision by ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News to skip the ceremony after CNN was barred from participating in the White House’s rotating television pool.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have sued the Trump administration over the restrictions, arguing that the selective ban violates First Amendment protections.
CNN normally participates in the five-network rotation that provides pooled footage and audio of White House events. After CNN was excluded, the other networks jointly declined to provide coverage of the helipad ceremony.
The White House has defended its decision to restrict access.
Trump later dismissed the boycott while speaking to reporters in New York, saying the outlets had an obligation to be fair.
The helipad project was completed ahead of a planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington. Trump has said the project would be privately funded, with Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft identified as the financier.