Now Reading: Trump sued over paid early access to Truth Social posts
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Trump sued over paid early access to Truth Social posts
The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation have sued Donald Trump in Manhattan federal court to shut down Truth API, a paid service that charges up to $100,000 a month…
The Story in Brief
The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation have sued Donald Trump in Manhattan federal court to shut down Truth API, a paid service that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to posts from 10 high-profile Truth Social accounts, including Trump's own. The plaintiffs argue the service violates the First Amendment by giving wealthy subscribers an unfair advantage and creates a financial conflict since Trump is Truth Media's largest shareholder with a 41.3% stake worth roughly $950 million.
Truth API launched on August 1, days after Democratic senators asked the SEC to investigate whether it undermines market integrity. Trump Media called the lawsuit a left-wing attempt to censor the president, but the plaintiffs say Trump's posts often move markets and are not followed by official White House statements, making equal access essential.
The Indian Opinion
This lawsuit is not simply a partisan attack; it strikes at a real conflict of interest. A president who profits from selling early access to his own announcements, especially ones that move stock and oil prices, undermines the principle of equal public access to government statements. The First Amendment claim is weighty, but the financial entanglement is harder to defend. The court must decide whether a paid feed for presidential posts is a business venture or a breach of public trust.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
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