Donald Trump Labels The New York Times a ‘National Security Threat’ in a New Statement

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump characterises The New York Times as a threat to national security, citing “fake” reporting and “radical” bias.
• The administration has filed multiple multi-billion dollar lawsuits against global media outlets, including the BBC and The New York Times.
• Federal agencies, including the FCC and the Department of Defense, are implementing stricter controls on media access and funding.

President Donald Trump intensified his long-standing critique of the American press this week, specifically targeting The New York Times in a statement that links editorial content to the safety of the nation. 

In a recent post on Truth Social, the President claimed that the publication’s reporting methods constitute a national security risk, signaling a significant escalation in his administration’s “war on the media.”

The President’s remarks were direct and uncompromising. “The Failing New York Times, and their lies and purposeful misrepresentations, is a serious threat to the National Security of our Nation,” Trump stated. He further categorised the outlet’s behaviour as “Radical Left” and “Unhinged,” calling for an end to what he described as a never-ending cycle of “FAKE Articles and Opinions.”

A Pattern of Institutional Conflict

This latest friction with The New York Times is part of a broader, more aggressive strategy toward mainstream media.

According to reports by The Guardian, the administration has already moved to restrict the flow of information by revoking press access for certain organisations and implementing new Department of Defence rules that penalise reporters for using unauthorised materials.

The President’s focus on national security as a justification for media restriction is a recurring theme in his second term.

In late 2025, the administration successfully pressured several federal agencies to cancel subscriptions to major news outlets, arguing that government funds should not support “biased” reporting.

The Multi-Billion Dollar Legal Front

Beyond rhetoric, the administration is utilizing the court system to challenge media narratives. 

As reported by Wikipedia’s updated records on Trump’s legal history, the President filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and several individual authors in September 2025. 

The suit alleges that the publication intentionally misrepresented facts during the 2024 election cycle.

The legal offensive extends beyond U.S. borders. Time Magazine recently detailed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, centered on claims of deceptive editing in a documentary. 

Additionally, ABC News and Paramount Global (the parent company of CBS) have collectively paid millions in settlements or to Trump-related foundations to resolve disputes over broadcast segments.

The “Enemy of the People” Rhetoric

The President’s description of the press as a “true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE” has been a staple of his political identity since 2017. 

However, the current focus on national security elevates the stakes. Critics and press freedom advocates argue that these labels delegitimize the role of the Fourth Estate, while the administration maintains it is merely defending the American public from “fraudulent” information.

Trump’s issues are not limited to the Times. He has frequently clashed with:

• CNN and MSNBC: Often accused of “illegal activities” and “unfair” coverage.
• The Washington Post: Labeled “dishonest” regarding its reporting on administrative policies.
• Social Media Giants: Most notably Meta, which the President has also termed an “enemy of the people” following previous platform bans.

Strategic Institutional Pressure

Under the direction of newly appointed leadership, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun investigating the funding and “underwriting credits” of public broadcasters like NPR and PBS. 

These actions, framed as efforts to ensure “neutrality,” reflect a shift where the executive branch exerts direct influence over the business operations of media entities.

The President concluded his statement by demanding that the behavior of the press “must be dealt with and stopped.”