Donald Trump is weighing the creation of a cable channel serving as his personal media platform, according to a new report.
Trump has discussed a “mini-media conglomerate” for the “audience” following his presidential campaign, according to Vanity Fair.
{mosads}Vanity Fair on Thursday said the potential network would exist outside of Trump Productions LLC, the billionaire’s existing television production business.
Sources say Trump has also huddled with daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who owns The New York Observer.
They added that the presumptive Republican nominee is interested on capitalizing on the media attention surrounding his White House run.
“It brings him to the conclusion that he has the business acumen and the ratings for his own network,” a source close to the businessman said. “[Trump has] gotten the bug. So now he wants to figure out if he can monetize it. Win or lose, we are onto something here. We’ve triggered a base of the population that hasn’t had a voice in a long time.”
Vanity Fair reported Kushner, meanwhile, recently voiced amazement at Trump’s popularity during a New York dinner party.
“The people don’t understand what I’m seeing,” he said. “You go to these arenas and the people go crazy for him.”
Trump’s campaign on Thursday denied that he has talked about grabbing a corner of national media.
“There is absolutely no truth to this whatsoever,” spokeswoman Hope Hicks said. “This hasn’t been uttered. Not even thought about.
“While it’s true Mr. Trump garners exceptionally high ratings, there are absolutely no plans or discussions taking place regarding a venture of this nature,” she added after discussing the matter further with Trump.
Trump has repeatedly derided the media’s coverage of his campaign, arguing it is biased against him.
On Wednesday, he tweeted about circumnavigating the national press and reaching voters personally.