Trump Sued Over Selling Early Access to Truth Social Posts

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a lawsuit in New York on Wednesday to shut down Truth API, a subscription service launched by Trump Media and Technology Group.

The service provides privileged access to US President Donald Trump's social media posts to trading firms fractions of a second before they appear publicly. Contracts for Truth API range from $60,000 to $100,000 a month, covering the platform's 10 most-followed accounts, including President Trump, the White House, US Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. More than 10 customers, primarily high-frequency trading firms, have subscribed.

Trump holds roughly 41% of Trump Media and Technology Group, a stake worth close to $1 billion. Interim CEO Kevin McGurn stated subscribers receive news fractionally faster. The lawsuit names President Trump, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, executive assistant Natalie Harp, and the Executive Office of the President as defendants. It argues the service breaches the First Amendment by denying equal access to presidential announcements and the Fifth Amendment by conditioning access on unreasonable sums.

Many of Trump's 9,000 to 11,000 posts since January 2025 lacked White House statements. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on February 18 that Truth Social posts are directly from President Trump. The lawsuit also targets Truth Social's six-hour exclusivity for Trump's posts. Ben Muessig of The Intercept called it an attempt to enrich himself by privatizing government information. A Trump Media spokesperson stated selling fast access is common and accused plaintiffs of trying to censor the president.