Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing new attack on The New York Times, branding the newspaper a 'serious threat to the National Security' of the United States and demanding it be 'stopped'.
A 'True Enemy of the People' on Truth Social
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday, Trump unleashed a torrent of criticism against the publication. In a post, he accused the 'Failing New York Times' of spreading lies and purposeful misrepresentations. He described its behaviour as 'Radical Left' and 'Unhinged', alleging it produces a never-ending stream of fake articles and opinions. Trump concluded by declaring the newspaper a 'TRUE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE'.
This outburst is the latest in a long-running feud between Trump and the paper of record. Last month, he expressed dissatisfaction with its coverage of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling it 'fake news'. His grievances, however, extend beyond verbal attacks.
A History of Legal Action and Swift Dismissal
In September, Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The complaint centred on three articles and a book by two of the paper's reporters, which he claimed were designed to damage his reputation ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
One article, published in October of last year, was singled out. It detailed an incident from Trump's youth at the New York Military Academy, where he allegedly borrowed a friend's dress jacket adorned with medals he had not earned for a yearbook photo. New York Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker wrote that Trump was 'in effect appropriating medals that he did not win himself.'
The lawsuit was thrown out by a judge just four days after it was filed. Chief Judge Steven Merryday criticised the filing for being excessively long and petty. He noted that Trump waited until the 80th page of the complaint to formally accuse the paper of defamation.
Judge Merryday suggested the lawsuit was less a legal document and more a platform for airing grievances. He stated: 'A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective - not a protected platform to rage against an adversary.' He added that a complaint is not a megaphone for public relations and told Trump that plaintiffs must state their case 'fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically'.
A spokesperson for The New York Times welcomed the ruling, saying it recognised the complaint as a 'political document rather than a serious legal filing.'
A Pattern of Litigation Against Media Outlets
This is not an isolated case. Since his election win last year, Trump has repeatedly turned to the courts in disputes with media companies.
- He has sued The Wall Street Journal over a report concerning a birthday drawing linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
- He secured a $16 million settlement from CBS after suing over a deceptively edited interview with his 2024 rival, Kamala Harris, on 60 Minutes.
- He also obtained a separate $16 million settlement from ABC after Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated Trump had been found civilly liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll case. The verdict was actually for sexual abuse.
Trump's latest broadside against The New York Times underscores his ongoing campaign against mainstream media outlets he perceives as hostile, framing criticism as a threat to national security rather than protected political discourse.
