Donald J.Trump brands New York Times Iran coverage “treasonous” and threatens lawsuit

vowed to fold what he called false reporting on Iran into his existing multi-billion dollar legal action against the newspaper.

NEW YORK — Donald J.Trump accused The New York Times of treasonous reporting on Iran in a Truth Social post on June 22, 2026, at 9:30 AM EST.

Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “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 claimed The New York Times relied on fabricated facts in its coverage of Iran and called the newspaper’s journalists “Criminals.” He said he would incorporate the outlet’s Iran reporting into his existing multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the company, escalating a long-running legal and rhetorical battle with one of the nation’s largest news organizations.

The president has maintained a combative stance toward mainstream media outlets throughout his political career, frequently labeling coverage he disagrees with as “fake news.” His use of the word “treasonous” marks a sharp escalation in tone, invoking language typically reserved for acts of betrayal against the state (see pbs.org).

Trump did not specify which New York Times articles prompted his accusation or detail the legal mechanism for adding new claims to the pending lawsuit. The precise value and current status of the suit remain unclear, though Trump has described it as worth billions of dollars.

The post arrives amid heightened diplomatic and military tensions involving Iran, a period Trump characterized by describing the country as “very battered and beat up.” The framing suggests the president views media coverage of Iran as undermining his administration’s negotiating position or military posture.

Zenger analysis of Trump’s Truth Social activity found that 13 of 631 posts in the last 30 days focused on the topic of media bias, placing this attack on The New York Times within a broader pattern of sustained criticism directed at news organizations.

Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on June 23, 2026 at 11:53 AM EST

Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on June 23, 2026 at 11:53 AM EST