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

accused the newspaper of publishing fabricated facts about Iran and said the reporting would be added to his multi-billion dollar legal action against the outlet.

TrumpWorld

IRAN — Donald J.Trump labeled The New York Times‘ coverage of Iran as “treasonous” and threatened to expand his lawsuit against the newspaper in a Truth Social post on June 22, 2026, at 9:30 AM CT.

Here is the full post (see truthsocial.com): “The way the Corrupt and FailingNew 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 alleged The New York Timespublished “fake and made up facts” in its reporting on Iran, which he described as “very battered and beat up” (see truthsocial.com). He did not specify which articles or claims he considered fabricated, nor did he detail the factual basis for the accusation.

The president said the newspaper’s Iran coverage would be folded into his existing multi-billion dollar lawsuit against The New York Times. Trump has maintained a long-running legal dispute with the publication, and his latest remarks signal an intent to broaden the scope of that litigation.

Trump‘s use of the word “treasonous” to describe press coverage raises questions about the boundaries of political rhetoric aimed at news organizations. The accusation, which Trump qualified with the phrase “in my opinion,” stopped short of a formal legal claim but carried significant weight given his position as president.

The post also raises questions about the specific nature of the Iran stories Trump found objectionable. His reference to a “battered and beat up” Iran suggests the coverage may relate to recent diplomatic or military developments involving the country, though Trump did not elaborate.

The implications of a sitting president threatening to sue a major newspaper over its foreign-policy coverage extend beyond the immediate dispute. Legal experts have long debated the chilling effect such threats can have on press freedom, particularly when they originate from the highest office in government.

In the last 30 days, none of Trump‘s 631 Truth Social posts focused on the topic of fake news media and mainstream press, making this post a notable departure from his recent messaging patterns.