The threat to journalism in America has just risen — dramatically.
On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump intensified his long-standing war on the media, directly targeting The New York Times with accusations of “likely unlawful behavior” over its coverage of his lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount. In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed the paper could be held liable for “tortious interference,” alleging that its reporting — which included sources calling the suit baseless — was part of a broader effort to sabotage the 2024 election.
Right now, independent media is facing attacks like we’ve never seen before. I want you to always have the news first. Please consider subscribing today to allow me to continue doing this work:
“They just have a non-curable case of TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” the president wrote, warning that his legal team is “intently studying” the Times’ role in what he suggested was an organized campaign of electoral interference.
This follows a separate accusation Trump leveled against 60 Minutes, claiming the program deceptively edited out a damaging answer from Vice President Kamala Harris during early voting — a move he labeled a “Giant FRAUD” and “one of the most egregious illegalities in Broadcast History.”
These threats are not empty. Under Trump’s leadership, the Justice Department and executive power have historically been used to intimidate and pressure media outlets. The question now is whether The New York Times will stand its ground — or fold, like ABC News did when it reportedly settled for $15 million under similar pressure.
This escalation is not just about one lawsuit or one network. It's a chilling signal to every newsroom in America: critical coverage of the president could come with a legal price tag. The core of journalism — uncovering facts, holding power to account, reporting unpopular truths — is increasingly being painted as “interference” rather than inquiry.
In authoritarian regimes, this is how press freedom dies: not all at once, but by a thousand threats, lawsuits, and smear campaigns — each one pushing the line a little further.
What’s unfolding now is not a media story. It’s a democracy story. And it’s far from over.
Share this post