Trump sued over paid Truth Social post access

Two US media groups sued President Donald Trump in New York on Wednesday over his move to charge for early access to his Truth Social posts.

The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed the lawsuit, which describes the paid access plan as “extraordinary, corrupt and unconstitutional”. They asked the court to declare Truth API unlawful and block use of the service for future posts.

The lawsuit says subscribers would get almost instantaneous access to Trump's Truth Social messages, crucial seconds before they become available to the general public. It says early access can cost up to $100,000 per month, or $60,000 per month if users commit to three years.

The filing says Trump often uses Truth Social to announce major government news, including developments in the Iran war and trade tariffs, which can quickly affect market values.

“This scheme is profoundly corrupt,” the filing says. “The President stands to gain financially by giving ‘market-moving’ government information to those who are willing and able to pay his personal company.”

Trump Media and Technology Group, which operates Truth Social, has dismissed concerns about Truth API. The product was first unveiled in mid-July.

The Intercept, a nonprofit news outlet, and Freedom of the Press Foundation, which operates a database tracking Truth Social posts, argue that the paid service hinders their ability to cover Trump properly. “Timely access to the President's posts is critical for both groups,” the filing says.

Several Democratic lawmakers have called for the Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates US markets, to investigate the service.

Trump Media interim chief executive Kevin McGurn said this week that Truth API is already generating revenue and has 10 customer agreements signed, though he did not identify the clients. The Wall Street Journal reported that trading companies were among the first subscribers.

Trump Media on Monday posted a ten-fold jump in second-quarter losses for 2026, linked to declines in the value of its digital assets. Forbes has estimated that Trump's net worth rose from $2.3 billion to $6.5 billion since 2024.