The press pool for Donald Trump made the unprecedented collective decision to refuse to air footage of a tour of Trump’s new hotel, even erasing the tape to ensure it never became public.

Trump announced Friday morning that he would be giving a “press conference” in his new D.C. hotel on the birther issue. When reporters arrived, they discovered that the press were being forced to sit in the back of the room. The “press conference” turned out to be a half an hour of veterans praising Trump, sprinkled with advertisements for the hotel, followed by an extremely brief comment from Trump on the actual topic at hand.

Trump took no questions and left the room, leading to angry shouts from the duped reporters.

Members of the press shouting angrily after Trump exits room pic.twitter.com/KAIfdTJUTO — Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) September 16, 2016

He did however take cameras and photographers on a personal tour of the new hotel. But no reporters were allowed to come, and those who did try to follow were physically restrained.

As the designated pool producer; attempted to go on pooled tour, as is customary. Was physically restrained from accompanying the camera. — Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) September 16, 2016

Outraged, the members of the press poll voted not to use the footage and reportedly even destroyed the footage.

A source says Trump broadcast pool just erased tape of his tour of the hotel in protest of bait-and-switch w no editorial access. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) September 16, 2016

BREAK – Trump TV pool voted to pull the camera from Trump hotel tour and not air footage — Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) September 16, 2016

Can confirm Trump broadcast pool erased the tape of his tour of the hotel — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) September 16, 2016

[Image via screengrab]

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