Donald J.Trump threatens to add New York Times Iran coverage to billion-dollar lawsuit

accused the newspaper of publishing fake facts about Iran and called its reporting treasonous in a Truth Social post on June 22, 2026.

NEW YORK — Donald J.Trump accused The New York Times of treasonous reporting on Iran and vowed to fold the coverage into his existing lawsuit against the newspaper on June 22, 2026 at 9:30 AM CT.

Here is the full post (see truthsocial.com): “The way the Corrupt and Failing New York Times is covering stories on a very battered and beat up Iran, through FAKE & MADE UP “FACTS” is, in my opinion, “TREASONOUS.” I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multi Billion Dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals! President DJT”

Trump described The New York Times as “corrupt and failing” and said its Iran coverage relied on fabricated facts. He labeled the reporting treasonous, placing the word in quotation marks and qualifying it with “in my opinion.” He also called the newspaper’s journalists “criminals.”

The post referenced what Trump characterized as a “multi Billion Dollar lawsuit” already pending against The New York Times. Trump said he planned to add the Iran-related articles to that legal action without specifying which stories prompted his complaint or what relief he would seek.

Trump’s language about Iran described the country as “very battered and beat up,” a phrase that appeared to reference ongoing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran. The post did not cite any particular article or journalist by name, leaving unclear which pieces of reporting he considered false.

Strong rhetoric from a sitting president against a major news organization can intensify debates over media bias and press freedom (see truthsocial.com). Legal scholars and press advocates have long argued that accusations of treason directed at journalists risk chilling legitimate newsgathering, while Trump’s supporters contend that mainstream outlets distort coverage to undermine his administration.

The legal threshold for treason under federal law is narrow, requiring levying war against the United States or giving aid and comfort to its enemies. Trump framed his use of the word as personal opinion rather than a formal allegation, a distinction that could carry weight if the remarks were ever examined in a courtroom setting.

In the last 30 days, zero of 631 Trump posts addressed the topic of media and self-promotion, including zero on the sub-topic of fake news media and mainstream press, a figure that makes this post a notable departure from his recent posting pattern.

Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on June 23, 2026 at 10:36 AM EST

Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on June 23, 2026 at 10:36 AM EST