Trump complains the US media aren't bending to his will. Aren't they? [View all]

Source: The Guardian

Trump complains the US media aren’t bending to his will. Aren’t they?

Despite owners and networks forsaking journalistic independence, Trump continues to threaten journalists

Adam Gabbatt
Sun 11 May 2025 13.00 BST
Last modified on Sun 11 May 2025 13.02 BST

In the telling of Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues, the US media is fake news, stocked with “radical-left monsters” who are guilty of “illegal” reporting on the president.

The reality is different.

Since Trump’s election, a number of US news organizations have appeared to bend to Trump’s will, with a growing number of examples of billionaire owners seemingly setting aside journalistic independence in favor of staying in Trump’s good grace.

Despite that acquiescence, Trump has continued to threaten journalists, branding pollsters “negative criminals” who “should be investigated for election fraud”. In April, he attacked “radical lunatic Democrats and their comrades in the fake news media”, adding: “Those lying to the American People on behalf of violent criminals have to be held responsible by the Agencies and the Courts.”

The attacks overlook the ways in which some outlets have submitted to Trump’s will – either by executives settling frivolous lawsuits or wealthy owners interfering to avoid upsetting Trump.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/11/trump-media-journalists-60-minutes