Donald Trump Has Done More Damage To the Free Press Than Any President in History
President Donald Trump’s long-running battle with the news media has evolved into a high-stakes power struggle that many observers describe as an abusive relationship. By branding critical outlets “fake news,” leveraging defamation lawsuits, and cultivating personal ties with powerful proprietors, Trump has exerted extraordinary pressure on organizations that once prided themselves on holding him to account. In several high‑profile cases, legal threats have prompted concessions from networks, while the owners of major newspapers including Jeff Bezos at The Washington Post and Patrick Soon‑Shiong at the Los Angeles Times—have taken steps critics say amount to appeasement. These developments raise urgent questions about the independence of American journalism and the balance between corporate interests and the public’s right to be informed.
Legal Pressure and Settlements
Trump’s use of defamation lawsuits to intimidate news organizations is unprecedented in modern presidential history. In December 2024, ABC News agreed to donate $15 million to Trump’s presidential library and publish a note of regret to settle his suit over comments by anchor George Stephanopoulos an outcome widely seen as coerced rather than voluntary. Soon after, Trump filed a $20 billion suit against CBS over its “60 Minutes” segment on then‑Vice President Kamala Harris, forcing the network into mediation to avoid a protracted legal battle. He has also sued smaller outlets such as the Des Moines Register and vowed further action against any outlet he deems unfair, signaling that no organization large or small is beyond his reach.
Rhetorical Assaults on Media Credibility
Beyond the courts, Trump has waged a relentless rhetorical war against the press. By repeatedly labeling mainstream journalism “enemies of the people” and “fake news,” he has sowed distrust among his supporters, encouraging them to dismiss critical reporting as partisan attack. His social media pronouncements have mobilized a base primed to denounce unfavorable coverage, eroding the traditional authority of news organizations to serve as neutral arbiters of fact.
Capitulation by News Owners Like Jeff Bezos
Under Jeff Bezos’s ownership, The Washington Post has made notable editorial retreats. In late 2024, it quietly dropped its motto “Democracy Dies in Darkness” from its homepage. Ahead of the 2024 election, the paper declined to endorse any candidate a move that triggered over 200,000 subscription cancellations and the resignation of several editorial board members. Critics contend these decisions were driven by business concerns and an attempt to mollify Trump’s base rather than by journalistic principle.
The Los Angeles Times and Patrick Soon‑Shiong
Since acquiring the Times, Patrick Soon‑Shiong has implemented several measures that critics say water down criticism of Trump. He barred the paper’s editorial board from endorsing a presidential candidate, asked staff to “take a break” from Trump coverage, and introduced an AI‑powered “bias meter” to flag perceived slants in reporting. These interventions prompted resignations and deep unease among veteran journalists, who view them as owner‑driven constraints on independent journalism.
The Stakes for Press Freedom
The pattern of lawsuits, public denunciations, and owner‑level interventions poses a grave threat to press freedom. When legal and economic pressures force outlets to temper or retract critical stories, self‑censorship can become the norm. In a democratic society, a free and fearless press is essential for holding power to account. The recent capitulations by major media owners suggest that the battle for editorial independence must now be fought not only in newsrooms, but also in courtrooms and corporate boardrooms.
Sources
1. ABC to pay $15 million to Trump library to settle lawsuit, Reuters
2. Trump and Paramount set to begin mediation in ’60 Minutes’ lawsuit, Reuters
3. Trump sues Des Moines Register, vows more defamation claims, Reuters
4. Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos defends decision not to endorse, Reuters
5. Washington Post opinion head departs amid shifts, Reuters
7. LA Times editor resigns after owner blocks presidential endorsement, The Guardian
8. The LA Times’ AI ‘bias meter’ looks like a bid to please Donald Trump, The Guardian
9. Trump complains the US media aren’t bending to his will. Aren’t they?, The Guardian
10. John Oliver cracks a very NSFW joke about Jeff Bezos cozying up to Trump, The Daily Beast
11. ABC settles with Trump for $15 million. Now, he wants to sue other news outlets, NPR
12. ABC agrees to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential library, PBS NewsHour
