The Intercept and the nonprofit Freedom of the Press Foundation have filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump to block his social media company from selling early access to his posts.
The court filing, submitted on August 13, argues that the paid subscription service would restrict public access to matters of public concern. The lawsuit calls the plan “deeply corrupt,” stating that “the president can financially benefit by providing market-moving government information to those willing and able to pay his private company.”
The suit invokes the U.S. Constitution’s press freedom protections, arguing that the plan violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of “equal access to the president’s public statements.” It also asserts that the service runs counter to Fifth Amendment safeguards that restrict the government from imposing arbitrary fees for information access.
The lawsuit names Trump in his official capacity as president, along with aide Natalie Harp and Deputy Chief of Staff Daniel Scavino.
The service, called the Truth API, was announced in July and launched on August 1, offered by Trump Media and Technology Group. It charges between $60,000 and $100,000 per month for real-time access to posts by Trump and other prominent accounts on Truth Social. According to the lawsuit, more than 10 clients had subscribed as of the company’s August 10 earnings call.
Critics note that Trump uses his Truth Social account to announce policy changes that could impact the economy. For instance, his comments on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran caused fluctuations in global oil markets.
Trump holds the largest stake in Trump Media and Technology Group, valued at about $1 billion, down from $4 billion in early 2025 when it was placed in a trust.
Ben Muessig, editor-in-chief of The Intercept, said: “Trump is trying to enrich himself by privatizing government information he has no right to sell. We will not let that happen.”
Trump Media responded that the president’s messages are already distributed through “multiple platforms and news outlets, many of which have paid subscription APIs.” The White House has not commented. The case will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
