Trump, who is definitely not preparing a media empire, already owns TrumpTelevision.com


"I have no interest in Trump TV," quoth Donald Trump, despite his son-in-law reportedly exploring funding options for such a venture. "I have no interest in Trump TV," Trump maintained, even though he has launched a YouTube channel literally called "Trump TV," featuring his own event coverage, commentators, and ads. And yet, "I have no interest in Trump TV," Trump said, although his closest campaign aides and allies are radio show hosts, TV personalities, and alt-right website editors.
But despite having no interest in Trump TV, it appears Trump already owns the domain name TrumpTelevision.com. The Republican nominee has been known to snatch up any potentially competitive web address ("IHateTrumpVodka.com"), and TrumpTelevision.com, like many others, was bought back in December 2012. It could just be another case of Trump covering his bases — as he said himself, "I have no interest in Trump TV."
Still, in the words of Trump's son, Eric Trump, "the collection of web addresses was part of a 'proactive' and 'very forward-looking domain strategy' intended to prevent critics and web squatters from adversely affecting the business," Yahoo News reports. "Based on Eric's comments, the company's ownership of TrumpTelevision.com suggests that Trump has considered a TV venture or that his company at least wanted to keep the option open."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump does have a single interest, "and that's Nov. 8." But after that, if things don't go according to plan, he'll be all out of interests — and still have a few thousand potentially inspiring domain names on hand.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'"Andor" examines all sides of how empires operate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US