Trump Tightens Grip on Media: Lawsuits and Cancellations Escalate

The media landscape in the United States is undergoing significant changes as President Donald Trump intensifies his campaign against major news organizations. His approach has included a series of lawsuits and pressures that raise concerns about press freedom. Observers note that his actions may undermine the media’s traditional role as a check on government power.

Trump’s efforts began in March 2024, when he cut federal funding to Voice of America, a public broadcasting service. He justified this move by labeling the service as “anti-Trump” and “radical.” This funding reduction also affected Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, two other entities that promote American ideals globally. By July, he eliminated all federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which oversees National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service, effectively removing a crucial source of independent media funding.

As Trump shifted focus to private media, he explored alternative strategies to exert influence. In October 2024, he filed a lawsuit against Paramount for $10 billion, claiming that CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount, had deceptively edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. After becoming president in February 2025, he escalated his demand to $20 billion. Although legal experts deemed the case lacking merit, Paramount’s desire to merge with Skydance Media made it vulnerable to pressure. The company ultimately settled for $16 million, purportedly to support Trump’s presidential library.

The settlement led to further controversy. Following the agreement, CBS announced the cancellation of its long-running show, Late Show, hosted by Stephen Colbert, a noted Trump critic. This decision came after increasing scrutiny from the House of Representatives, which initiated an investigation into whether the settlement constituted a form of bribery.

Trump’s legal actions extended to Rupert Murdoch‘s Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He filed a defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal, seeking $10 billion in damages over an article linking him to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Legal analysts pointed out that public figures in the U.S. must demonstrate malice to win such cases, suggesting Trump’s lawsuit was unlikely to succeed.

In a similar vein, Trump targeted the New York Times, claiming $15 billion in damages, alleging the publication acted as a “mouthpiece for the radical left Democrat Party” following its endorsement of Harris. This lawsuit mirrors the challenges faced by his earlier claims against the Wall Street Journal, raising questions about whether the Times will resist Trump’s intimidation tactics.

The media climate has shifted noticeably, with some organizations appearing to capitulate to Trump’s pressures. For example, Disney faced backlash when it pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 17, 2024, after comments made by Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, threatened action against the network. Although Kimmel has since returned, the incident underscored the chilling effect of Trump’s influence on media.

Similarly, MSNBC experienced internal strife when senior political analyst Matthew Dowd was terminated after he suggested that radical rhetoric contributed to violence against right-wing activists. This incident highlights the precarious position of media outlets in the face of potential repercussions from Trump and his administration.

As Trump continues to exert pressure on various media organizations, the implications for press freedom in the United States remain significant. With two of the three major newspapers and two of the four leading television networks seemingly under his influence, the future of independent journalism hangs in the balance. The situation raises critical questions about the integrity of the media and its ability to perform its essential role in a democratic society.