Trump Intensifies Feud with New York Times Amid Lawsuit

President Donald Trump’s ongoing clash with the New York Times has escalated recently, marked by fresh insults from the White House and the filing of a lawsuit against the publication.

Last week, Trump expressed his anger over a report co-authored by White House correspondent Katie Rogers. The article, titled “The days are getting shorter, signs of fatigue: President Trump faces the reality of aging in office,” suggested that the 79-year-old president is experiencing a slowdown. In response, Trump criticized the outlet, calling it a space for his “hits,” and described Rogers as “ugly inside and out.”

The Times immediately defended its report, asserting that Trump’s name-calling does not alter the substance of their reporting.

White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt also joined in, labeling the article as “patently false” during a Monday press briefing. She mentioned a previous article by Rogers which stated that President Biden stumbled on Air Force One but was “100% fine.” Leavitt noted the inconsistency in coverage, pointing out that headlines about Trump often focus on his alleged unfitness for office, claiming he’s the most accessible president in history.

The New York Times continues to stand by its reporting team, emphasizing that they have covered both Trump and Biden impartially over various administrations. A spokesperson commented that the notion that the coverage of both presidents differs is unfounded.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added his criticisms, stating that the Times is no longer a reliable source. He even went so far as to mention that he doesn’t read the Times anymore, mentioning a specific article about Trump’s alleged decline in energy.

In a twist, the Times filed a lawsuit against Trump’s Department of the Army the next morning. The case challenges a new reporting policy that the paper claims violates First and Fifth Amendment rights. They argue that the policy grants the Pentagon vague powers to discipline reporters without due process.

The lawsuit also notes instances of viewpoint discrimination, highlighting how certain reporters who have shown support for Trump were permitted at press conferences after agreeing to the Pentagon’s new rules.

The Pentagon’s Chief Press Secretary has acknowledged the lawsuit, indicating they are ready to address the arguments in court.

This escalating conflict comes after Trump recently refiled a substantial defamation lawsuit against the Times, seeking $15 billion in damages. He accuses the paper of misrepresentation in two 2024 articles and a book published by its reporters.

Trump’s legal team insists that he is holding the Times accountable for “fake news,” with multiple parties named in the lawsuit, including the reporters and the publisher Penguin Random House.

The Times, however, maintains that the lawsuit lacks merit, asserting that it is an attempt to suppress independent journalism. They vow not to be intimidated by such tactics.

Trump’s relationship with the Times is complex; he has often expressed both admiration and criticism of the paper. Over the years, as a native of Queens, Trump has sought its endorsement, yet he has consistently rebuffed its negative coverage, often describing it as biased.