The most alarming detail in Donald Trump’s sustained campaign against the press is not what the president has done — it is what major media companies have done in response. Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit against 60 Minutes that legal observers called frivolous. ABC paid $15 million to settle a defamation suit widely regarded as weak. CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s comedy show after constant Trump complaints. Each capitulation confirms to the president that intimidation works.
Pattern of Retaliation
Trump’s strategy is systematic. When the New York Times reported on security problems involving the $400 million airplane the Qatari government gifted to Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice subpoenaed the journalists who broke the story — an effort to intimidate the free press and chill leaks within the administration. Those subpoenas were quietly withdrawn just before Trump spoke at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where he continued his attacks on the news media anyway.
He has sued the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and other media companies. Most of these suits get thrown out. But the filing itself functions as punishment — legal costs, staff time, and the chilling message that critical coverage invites litigation.
The FCC as Enforcement Arm
More recently, Trump threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC and NBC over petty issues, such as not showing his embarrassing speech claiming election fraud. At the president’s urging, the Federal Communications Commission is now reviewing the license held by the Philadelphia ABC affiliate known as WPVI, or 6abc. The public has until Wednesday to express comments about the effort, which appears to be a clear attack on the First Amendment.
This is not subtle. A sitting president is using an independent regulatory agency to punish broadcasters whose coverage he dislikes. The phrase Trump has long used for the media — “enemy of the people” — was deployed by dictators including Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler. The historical echo is not accidental.
A Warped Version of Reality
The editorial board that produced the source analysis noted that Trump is a habitual liar who has told tens of thousands of mistruths during his time in public office. In his second term, this warped version of reality is virtually guaranteed. Trump has surrounded himself with officials who do whatever he demands and tell him what he wants to hear. The absurd theater of fawning bureaucrats praising the president during cabinet meetings resembles a spoof of a George Orwell novel.
The factual record speaks for itself. Trump declared the U.S. won the war in Iran in March, and again in April, May, and June — but the fighting continues. He claims the economy is great, but nearly half of all Americans said they are worse off financially. He continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen and has spread repeated lies about the upcoming midterm election.
Why the Attacks Intensify
Trump labels stories that portray him in a negative light as “fake news” because the reality — about chaos, corruption, and incompetence — is something he cannot afford for Americans to see. His goal is to delegitimize critical reporting, distract from reality, energize his base, and establish himself as the sole arbiter of truth.
The consequences are measurable. Trump’s attacks on the media have helped erode public trust in journalism, accelerated partisan divides, and reduced faith in democratic institutions. Amid all the confusion, Trump has enriched himself while the country has become divided and weakened.
The Founders’ Design
The founders understood that the free press plays a vital role in democracy by informing the public, holding leaders accountable, and providing a forum for debate. The First Amendment — which guarantees freedom of speech, freedom to protest, and freedom of religion — remains a cornerstone of American democracy and civil society. The media is imperfect, as are the men and women who work in it. But the institutional design depends on a press that can operate without fear of government retaliation.
When Paramount and ABC write multi-million-dollar checks to make lawsuits disappear, when CBS cancels a comedy show to appease a president, and when the FCC opens license reviews at the president’s urging, that design fractures. The independent press will do its best to report the truth, but it is up to voters to hold those in power accountable.
What Happens Next
The FCC’s public comment period on the WPVI license review closes Wednesday, offering a concrete test of whether civic pressure can slow administrative retaliation against broadcasters. Lawsuits against the Times and other outlets will continue winding through courts, where most are expected to be dismissed — but each filing extends the chilling effect. The broader question is whether media companies will continue settling or capitulating, or whether they will absorb the costs of litigation as the price of independence. Voters face the midterm election amid deliberately sown confusion about its legitimacy, and the press’s capacity to report facts without intimidation will determine whether the electorate can make informed decisions.
— Jordan Blake, editorial desk, AXO News