'Profoundly corrupt': Trump faces lawsuit after selling early access to Truth Social posts
The complaint filed in Manhattan federal court by the Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation challenges Truth API, a feed offered by Trump Media & Technology Group.
Two news organizations filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Donald Trump and his media company, seeking to halt the launch of a new service that charges up to $100,000 a month for exclusive access to the president's posts on his Truth Social platform. Filed in Manhattan federal court by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the complaint challenges Truth API, a feed offering paid access to ten high-profile Truth Social accounts, including Trump's own.
The lawsuit alleges that Truth API, launched on August 1, undermines financial market integrity while enriching Wall Street and Trump. White House officials, including the president, are named as defendants. However, Trump Media is not among the named defendants.
The plaintiffs described Truth API as "profoundly corrupt" due to Trump's potential financial gain from subscribers. They argued the service violates the First Amendment by limiting equal access to Trump's announcements. The complaint states that many of Trump's 9,000 to 11,000 Truth Social posts during his second term were not followed by official White House statements.
Trump Media spokesperson countered the lawsuit, claiming numerous platforms already distribute Trump's information. The spokesperson accused left-wing activists of attempting to censor the president through legal means. Trump Media CEO Kevin McGurn stated that Truth API allows subscribers to receive news fractionally faster than others. The president holds a 41.3% stake in Trump Media, with his oldest son Donald Trump Jr. serving as a director and overseeing the trust.
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