A federal lawsuit was filed against President Donald Trump this week regarding a Truth Social service that offers Wall Street traders early access to his posts on market-sensitive topics for a fee ranging from $60,000 to $100,000 per month. The lawsuit, initiated by the Freedom of the Press Foundation and The Intercept in New York federal court, claims that the Truth API service violates constitutional rights by restricting access to information that should be available to the public simultaneously. Trump’s deputy chief of staff Daniel Scavino and executive assistant Natalie J. Harp are also named as defendants.
The subscription service, launched on August 1, allows subscribers to receive updates from Truth Social accounts, including Trump's, which has 13 million followers. Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, stated that while Trump has the right to express himself, he cannot sell access to official statements through a private business while undermining transparency laws.
Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) has indicated that the service will provide a real-time feed of posts and aims to monetize its assets. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Trump from posting official government announcements exclusively on Truth Social, arguing that it violates First and Fifth Amendment rights. Legal experts have noted that Trump's financial stake in the company could complicate his defense, raising ethical concerns about the intertwining of government actions and private financial interests. The case will address whether the Constitution mandates simultaneous access to presidential communications.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and Trump Media for comments but has not received a response.