Donald Trump is facing a lawsuit from two U.S. media groups over a Truth Social service that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to his posts. The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed the lawsuit Wednesday in New York federal court.
The groups argue that selling priority access to the president's messages raises serious concerns. They described the service as "extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional" in the filing.
The Truth API Service
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) launched the service, called Truth API, in mid-July. It delivers posts from Trump and other high-profile accounts within milliseconds, according to the company.
Subscribers receive Trump's posts seconds before they appear to the general public. The plaintiffs say those moments matter because Trump often uses the platform to announce major developments, such as during the Iran war, that can move financial markets.
More than 10 firms now pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts. TMTG has said the product is aimed at businesses seeking faster data feeds and has dismissed concerns about how the information is used.
Legal Arguments
The lawsuit alleges that the setup gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford it. It creates a system where market-sensitive information reaches paying clients first, the plaintiffs said.
Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said Trump selling priority access to news he generates, for the benefit of a private company he controls, is "so blatantly corrupt and unconstitutional that it would have been hard to even fathom just a few years ago."
David Bralow, chief legal officer at The Intercept, said: "Nothing could be more antithetical to the free, independent press than the president charging for early access to his public announcements."
Background and Context
Trump is the most followed person on Truth Social, with about 13 million followers. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is second with around 7.5 million followers.
The lawsuit described Truth API as a "scheme" and a money-making opportunity. It noted that Trump holds a majority stake in TMTG, which went public in 2024.
TMTG responded by saying the lawsuit was brought by "left-wing activists" seeking to censor the president. The company has previously dismissed concerns about the paid service.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit marks the latest legal challenge involving Trump's business ventures while in office.
What Comes Next
The case will proceed in federal court in New York. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to stop the service, according to the filing.
Legal experts say the case raises novel questions about whether a president can monetize official communications. No similar case has been decided by a federal appeals court.
The outcome could set a precedent for how public officials use social media platforms to distribute information. TMTG has not indicated whether it will change the service while the case is pending.