President Donald Trump's private company has filed a federal trademark application seeking ownership of the name "TRUMP TV," just three days after the White House launched a 24-hour streaming channel under the same brand. The move could affect how the White House uses the channel's name going forward and could ultimately require a licensing arrangement between the federal government and the Trump Organization. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records show the application was filed September 24 by DTTM Operations LLC, the entity that manages trademarks associated with the Trump brand.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who first identified the filing in federal records, said the situation appears to be unprecedented. "It is likely the first time in United States history that this has happened," Gerben told Newsweek. The application seeks trademark protection for "TRUMP TV" across television broadcasting, streaming services, mobile applications and news programming.
According to the filing, the proposed services would include content focused on politics, business, current events and international affairs. The filing comes amid an escalating confrontation between the White House and major news organizations. This past week, the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from White House grounds due to their reporting of "fake news," prompting litigation and major television networks to suspend participation in the White House television press pool.
The White House subsequently launched "TRUMP TV: The Essentials Station," a 24-hour channel dedicated to presidential speeches, appearances and administration content. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and DTTM Operations LLC via email for comment. Federal records show DTTM Operations LLC is seeking rights to use the name across downloadable software, internet streaming, television broadcasting and online news programming.
The filing covers services delivered through television, websites, mobile applications and digital networks. The categories include streaming software for mobile phones and smart TVs, television broadcasting services, internet broadcasting, and transmission of news content and current-events programming. The company also seeks protection for entertainment and educational programming focused on politics, business and public affairs.
The filing was submitted on an intent-to-use basis, meaning DTTM Operations has indicated plans to use the mark commercially in the future. USPTO records show the application covers four international trademark classes and was filed with a $1,400 fee. The breadth of the filing suggests that the Trump Organization may envision the brand as more than a White House communications channel, potentially expanding into a broader media platform spanning multiple technologies and formats.
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