Trump’s Latest Attack on the Media
Image from The Guardian article titled “Trump is waging war against the media – and winning” Source: The Guardian
On September 16, 2025, President Donald J. Trump filed a $15 million lawsuit against the New York Times for defamation, with his lawyers calling the Times a “full-throated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party.” This is just one instance of President Trump’s relentless attack on media outlets, as he also sued the Wall Street Journal last summer for covering his alleged ties with Jeffrey Epstein, though the owner of the Journal, Rupert Murdoch, was an outward supporter of Trump. On social media, President Trump alluded that this is just one instance of his planned attempts to censor the press and other forms of media. These attacks on the media not only create controversies about the government's control and censorship over the media, but also raise the question about where the boundary is between legitimate recourse for defamation and impermissible pressure on a free press by a sitting president.
In the evening of September 17, 2025, just one day after the defamation case was filed, ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air after Kimmel used his platform to speak out about Kirk and his politics, following his death and mounting FCC (Federal Communications Commission) pressure. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has allegedly leveraged his position to pressure liberal-leaning institutions in ways that serve President Trump’s political agenda in the media. Early in his tenure, Carr reportedly influenced telecom giant Verizon to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments in exchange for securing a $20 billion deal with Frontier Communications. Similarly, the CBS–Paramount merger aligned with the quiet settlement of a $16 million lawsuit involving Trump. These events are not isolated; they reveal a strategic effort to control media narratives and silence opposing voices, as Trump himself alluded to in a social media post following the show’s removal. In this context, Trump’s previous defamation lawsuits appear not as individual acts of grievance, but as deliberate tools of intimidation, part of a broader campaign to erode press freedom and dismantle the First Amendment protections that serve as a cornerstone of American democracy.
The First Amendment isn’t just a legal safeguard, it’s a basic principle that allows Americans to question power, express dissent, and hold leaders accountable. When that freedom is threatened, the consequences reach far beyond any one administration or lawsuit, but creates institutional polarization and mistrust. The Trump administration’s repeated attacks on the press, from high-profile defamation suits to behind-the-scenes pressure on media outlets, reveal a troubling pattern: an effort to silence critics and reshape public discourse to serve personal and political interests. These aren’t just isolated power plays, they represent a broader attempt to weaken the very institutions that protect democracy. As these freedoms are eroded piece by piece, so too is the democratic framework that relies on them.
Regardless of an individual’s political affiliation, no one should be silenced or punished for exercising their First Amendment rights. The freedom to speak, to criticize, and to question those in positions of power is not only a constitutional guarantee but also a cornerstone of American democracy. For example, when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, he ignited a national conversation on racial injustice, yet faced severe backlash, professional consequences, and political condemnation. His case underscores how exercising free speech, especially when it challenges dominant power structures, can come at a cost. Still, it is this very commitment to open discourse and accountability that has enabled the United States to evolve into a diverse and dynamic society, where a multitude of voices can shape and challenge the nation's direction.
The fight to protect the First Amendment is not just a legal or political battle; it’s a collective responsibility. The recent actions on press freedom and public dissent, spearheaded by figures like President Trump and enabled by political allies, signal a dangerous attempt to normalize censorship and consolidate power. But as the response to Jimmy Kimmel’s removal made clear, the American public still has a voice, and when used collectively, it’s a powerful one. Defending democracy requires more than just awareness; it demands action, vigilance, and an unwavering commitment to the principles that define us. If attacks on free speech and the press go unchallenged, there is a risk of losing not only American rights but the very mechanisms that make democratic accountability possible. Ultimately, protecting press freedom can help protect democracy itself.