Trump Sued Over Service That Offers Paid Early Access to Truth Social Posts

 

Donald Trump was sued on Wednesday by two media organisations seeking to shut down a new service that sells paid early access to posts on his Truth Social platform, including some that can influence financial markets.

 

The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, challenges Truth API, a feed offered by Trump Media & Technology Group that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to posts from 10 high-profile Truth Social accounts, including Trump's own.

 

Truth API launched on August 1, four days after Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Adam Schiff of California called on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate whether the service undermined the integrity of financial markets while benefiting Wall Street, wealthy insiders and Trump.

 

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other White House officials are also named as defendants, while Trump Media is not.

 

Trump has long used Truth Social to disclose news, including announcements concerning tariffs and conflicts in the Middle East, that can affect the prices of shares, oil and other financial assets.

 

Wednesday's lawsuit seeks to prevent the White House from posting official government announcements exclusively on Truth Social while the paid feed remains in operation.

 

In the complaint, the plaintiffs described the Truth API service as "profoundly corrupt", arguing that the president stands to benefit financially when subscribers sign up.

 

They also alleged that the service violates the US Constitution's First Amendment because the public should have equal access to Trump's announcements. The plaintiffs argued there was no legitimate government interest in selling the president's posts to private subscribers and allowing him to profit from them.

 

According to the complaint, many of the 9,000 to 11,000 Truth Social posts and reposts Trump has made during his second term have not been followed by official White House statements.

 

A Trump Media spokesperson said "countless" platforms and news organisations, including many offering subscription feeds, already distribute information from Trump, a Republican.

 

"Now, left-wing activists are trying to wrongfully weaponise the courts to censor him" and harm shareholders, the spokesperson said.

 

On an earnings call on Monday, Trump Media interim Chief Executive Kevin McGurn said Truth API allowed subscribers to receive news "fractionally faster" than others.

 

Trump is Largest Shareholder

 

Trump is Trump Media's largest shareholder, holding a 41.3 per cent stake worth approximately $950 million through his Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, according to Reuters data.

 

His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, is a Trump Media director and oversees the trust.

 

Other accounts offered through Truth API include those belonging to Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, FBI Director Kash Patel and the White House itself, according to the complaint.

 

The SEC's three current commissioners are Republicans.

 

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