The word is seeping out that President Trump is asking network for time to cover an address to the nation tomorrow night on the shutdown and border security.

President Trump wants to address the nation about the government shutdown on Tuesday night, and later in the week plans to travel to the southern border as part of his effort to persuade Americans of the need for a border wall — the sticking point in negotiations with Democrats who are eager to reopen shuttered agencies.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions about a request to television networks to carve out time for an Oval Office address. A person familiar with the request said the White House had asked to interrupt prime time programming on Tuesday.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, announced Mr. Trump’s plans to travel to the border on Thursday, which would be the 20th day of the partial government shutdown if an agreement between Congress and the White House is not reached in the meantime.

In all likelihood the address will take place with US border with Mexico as a backdrop:

President @realDonaldTrump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis. More details will be announced soon.

— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) January 7, 2019

As with just about everything else to do with the Trump White House, absolutely nothing is routine. The NYT is also reporting that at least two networks are considering NOT covering the address because they don’t want to give Trump and traction in the budget fight.

TRUMP wants primetime slot tomorrow to talk shutdown, @esullivannyt & @maggieNYT scoop

At least TWO major networks still deliberating – skepticism about handing over airwaves for political statement https://t.co/FznOfqjoXi

— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) January 7, 2019

I would imagine, truth be told, the White House is jumping up and down at the though of two networks refusing to carry his address while the shutdown is underway. I don’t know what kind of a genius would come up with the idea that playing into the perception of the press as being allied with the Democrats against Trump was a good idea, but highly placed idiots are found in the private sector as well as in government.

UPDATE: It’s On.

I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019

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