The Intercept Sues Trump for Selling Premium Access to Truth Social Announcements

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his staff, challenging a scheme by Trump's media company to monetize the president's social media posts. The lawsuit claims that the monetization plan, called "Truth API," violates the First Amendment rights of journalists and the public to equal access to official information, while allowing Trump to profit from his statements.

The suit argues that Truth API would allow Trump to sell access to his posts for as much as $100,000 per month, effectively privatizing government information. The lawsuit also asserts that the scheme would violate the Fifth Amendment by charging unreasonable sums for equal access to government information and undermining the right to equal protection under the law.

The complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, states that every American is entitled to equal access to the president's public statements. The lawsuit names Trump, his executive assistant, and other defendants, including the Executive Office of the President and the White House Office. Trump Media & Technology Group's interim CEO, Kevin McGurn, has stated that Truth API provides a real-time feed of Trump's posts, advancing the company's strategy to monetize proprietary assets.

Critics argue that the scheme represents unprecedented self-enrichment by a president, with potential influence peddling and buying access. The suit also notes that Truth Social, the social media platform created by Trump, has struggled financially, with losses totaling $238 million in the second quarter.