Donald Trump is being sued by two US media groups, The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation, in a New York federal court over his Truth Social service that charges up to $100,000 per month for early access to his posts. The lawsuit argues that this paid service raises "serious concerns" about corruption and unconstitutionality, as it gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford it. More than 10 firms currently pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts, which often contain market-sensitive information. The plaintiffs claim that Trump's control of the platform through his company TMTG creates a conflict of interest.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Donald Trump's company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), is facing a lawsuit over its new service, Truth API, which charges up to $100,000 (£74,000) per month for fast access to posts on Truth Social, the social media platform used by Trump and other high-profile accounts. The lawsuit was filed in New York federal court by two US media groups, The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation. They argue that selling priority access to the president's messages is "extraordinary, corrupt, and unconstitutional" because it gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford it, allowing them to react first to market-moving information. TMTG has dismissed concerns about the paid service, calling the lawsuit a attempt by "left-wing activists" to censor Trump. The service was launched in mid-July and charges between $60,000-100,000 (£44,000-£74,000) per month for high-frequency trading firms, with more than 10 customers already signed up.
Written for “Trump's Truth Social Service Lawsuit” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
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extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional
left the article describes Trump's action as 'corrupt'
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so blatantly corrupt and unconstitutional that it would have been hard to even fathom just a few years ago
left Stern's statement further emphasizes the illegitimacy of Trump's actions
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Nothing could be more antithetical to the free, independent press than the president charging for early access to his public announcements.
left David Bralow's statement highlights the conflict between Truth Social's business model and the principles of a free press
Leaning score -0.75 for article 775 (high confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-26
- Published
Donald Trump is being sued by two US media groups over a new Truth Social service that charges up to $100,000 (£74,000) a month for early access to his posts.
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that → sue → posts
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in New York federal court by The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation.
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lawsuit → file → Press
The suit argues that selling priority access to the president's messages raises serious concerns, external, describing it as "extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional".
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) said the lawsuit was brought by "left-wing activists" seeking to censor the president.
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lawsuit → argue → president
The BBC has approached the White House for comment.
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BBC → approach → comment
TMTG has previously dismissed concerns about the paid service.
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TMTG → dismiss → service
The paid Truth Social service offers subscribers near-instant delivery of Trump's posts, arriving seconds before they appear for the general public.
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they → offer → 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.
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that → say → markets
They argue the setup gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford it, creating a system where market-sensitive information reaches paying clients first.
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information → argue → clients
More than 10 firms now pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts.
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firms → pay → posts
Trump Media and Technology Group has said the product is aimed at businesses seeking faster data feeds and has dismissed concerns about how the information is used.
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information → say → concerns
The company unveiled the service, called Truth API, in mid-July and said it would deliver posts from Trump and other high-profile accounts in milliseconds.
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it → unveil → milliseconds
Trump is the most followed person on the platform, with about 13 million followers, ahead of his eldest son Donald Trump Jr., who has around 7.5 million.
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who → follow → million
Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation's, 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".
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it → say → company
And 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."
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president → say → announcements
The lawsuit described Truth API as a "scheme" and a money-making opportunity, noting that Trump holds the largest stake in TMTG through a revocable trust that owns about 41% of the company – a stake worth more than $1 billion.
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that → describe → company
Responding to the lawsuit, a TMTG spokesperson said: "Information from President Trump is disseminated by countless platforms and news outlets, many of which offer subscription APIs.
"
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many → respond → APIs
One of those channels is Truth Social, which was founded as an uncancellable haven for free speech after the President was unjustly de-platformed.
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President → found → speech
"Now, left-wing activists are trying to wrongfully weaponize the courts to censor him again and harm our shareholders."
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activists → try → shareholders
The spokesperson also accused the Freedom of the Press Foundation of violating Truth Social's terms of service.
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spokesperson → accuse → service
