President Trump is threatening legal action against the New York Times and CNN. This comes after US airstrikes in Iran seemingly contradict his assertion that they effectively “decapitated” the nation’s nuclear capabilities.
Trump’s legal team alleges that both outlets slander him in their reporting, particularly regarding their interpretations of initial assessments following the strikes. According to a Times article from earlier this week, the airstrikes have only momentarily delayed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The backdrop for this controversy is a statement from Trump about a bomb that destroyed a US bunker, which he claims “eliminated” the Fordow nuclear facility, relying on information from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Through his lawyer, Alejandro Brito, a letter was sent on Wednesday criticizing the Times for what he called an unwarranted attack on Trump’s character, demanding a retraction and an apology.
In the letter, the Times’ story was labeled as “fake,” damaging to Trump’s honor, and “unpatriotic.” Brito asserted that the military operation was a “historic and overwhelming success” that had clearly neutralized Iran’s nuclear threats and fostered peace in the area.
In response, lawyers for the Times, led by David McLaw, firmly rejected the demand for retraction. They stated there was no need for an apology and maintained that they had reported the truth according to the best available information. McLaw added that the article accurately conveyed what the intelligence assessment had concluded—that the strikes delayed Iran’s nuclear agenda by only a few months.
Meanwhile, a CNN representative confirmed that the network was facing similar legal threats and aligned with the reports published.
These actions follow Trump repeatedly criticizing the media on social platforms, demanding that journalists from both outlets be terminated. Defense Secretary Pete Heggs echoed Trump’s grievances in a press conference but didn’t contest the intelligence report’s findings.
The White House and Brito were asked for comments, while a spokesperson for the Times declined to provide any statement.
Trump has often been at odds with journalists, and this latest legal threat fits into a more assertive and extensive strategy aimed at major media organizations.
His legal efforts often focus on claims of honor and allegations of misleading the public, reflecting his ongoing battle against what he perceives as a biased press.
In recent years, Trump has initiated or threatened many lawsuits against various media platforms. One prominent case involves a $20 billion suit against CBS News, alleging it presented him negatively, particularly during a “60 Minutes” segment featuring then-President Kamala Harris. His team argues that the segment misled viewers and breached the Texas Consumer Protection Act, a claim CBS denies, seeking to dismiss under First Amendment rights, though negotiations are reportedly underway.
Last December, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump after airing an episode involving George Stephanopoulos. The network agreed to pay $15 million to Trump’s future presidential foundation and $1 million in legal fees, along with issuing an apology. Brito represented Trump in a prior lawsuit against CNN, alleging the network had compared him to Adolf Hitler; this case was dismissed in 2023 but is now on appeal.
Trump also took legal action against the Des Moines Register and voter J. Anne Selser over a 2024 Iowa poll that showed Harris leading him, but that case was dismissed due to lack of standing and evidence.
Though traditional defamation cases face tough First Amendment protections, Trump’s legal strategy appears to leverage consumer protection laws, framing misleading media portrayal as a form of public deception. Critics suggest this tactic aims to stifle press freedom and entangle media entities in costly litigation.
