White House shredded for promoting its own news app after Trump’s media ban: ‘State run media’

The White House drew widespread criticism for promoting its official news app days after President Donald Trump barred three news outlets from the White House.“Get real-time updates and live events streamed DIRECTLY to your phone,” the White House wrote on X on Monday. It pitched the official app as a way to receive “the news that matters most — straight from the Trump Administration.”“DOWNLOAD NOW,” the caption stated.The post came three days after Trump banned reporters from CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, triggering a lawsuit from the outlets. In response to the restrictions, the White House television pool announced on Monday it would suspend coverage of presidential events.The White House’s Monday post quickly drew a flood of negative replies online, with users comparing the app to media from authoritarian nations. The White House was criticized for promoting its own news app after President Donald Trump's press ban (AFP via Getty Images)“You’re making Vladimir Putin proud. State run Media,” political commentator Brian Krassenstein wrote.“Why would I let your state media track my data?” questioned another user, while a third chimed in: “I'd rather launch my phone into the sun than install a government propaganda app.”Another user pointed out that Trump’s approval rating remains near historic lows, adding that changing up its messaging strategy may not be helpful.“29% approval—and they think the problem is that we need more Trump on our phones,” the user wrote. “Nothing says ‘wanted’ like a government propaganda app nobody asked for.”Other critics simply responded with memes, one of which depicted Trump’s face superimposed onto a North Korean state television broadcaster.Not all of the replies were negative though. Some users applauded Trump for what they viewed as a successful effort to sidestep the press.“The lamestream media just stepped right into their own graves,” wrote one X commenter. “What a brilliant move.”The mobile app, which is not new, offers access to official White House livestreams, Truth Social posts, and the president’s public schedule. It also features sections outlining the administration’s policies on the economy, artificial intelligence and immigration, among other issues.It’s unclear how many people have downloaded the application, but it’s currently ranked forty-sixth in “news” on the Apple app store.This is a breaking story...