Two media groups filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump on Wednesday in federal court in New York. The suit sought to block a new paid service that offered early access to his Truth Social posts.
The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation brought the complaint. They argued the service violated the First Amendment by denying equal access to the president’s public announcements. The lawsuit described the arrangement as extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional.
Trump Media and Technology Group launched the service, known as Truth API, on 1 August. It charged subscribers up to 100,000 dollars a month for near-instant access to posts from Trump and nine other high-profile accounts. These included posts by Vice President JD Vance and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Company executives stated that more than 10 firms had already signed agreements. Most paid between 60,000 and 100,000 dollars monthly. The service targeted businesses that needed faster information feeds.
The complaint noted that Trump often used Truth Social to announce government decisions that could move markets. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said the First Amendment required any limit on equal access to serve a legitimate governmental purpose. Selling early access to private buyers failed that test, they claimed.
Ben Muessig, editor-in-chief of The Intercept, said in a statement: “Trump is trying to enrich himself by privatizing government information that he has no right to sell. We won’t let it stand.”
Trump Media and Technology Group called the lawsuit an effort by left-wing activists to censor the president. The White House did not immediately comment. The plaintiffs asked the court to prevent exclusive official announcements on Truth Social while the paid feed operated.
