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November 25, 2025 – USA –
Media organisations in the United States are confronting an intensifying legal campaign from former President Trump, who is leveraging lawsuits and threats to challenge reporting he deems unfavourable. According to a recent piece in TheWrap, major outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian now face an increasingly hostile climate as editorial decisions come under scrutiny.
In a public statement to TheWrap, Patrick Healy — assistant managing editor for trust and standards at The New York Times — noted that the old model of “let the journalism speak for itself” feels outdated. With social-media amplification and the risk of legal action for perceived errors, newsrooms are now more transparent about their editorial process and ready to defend their reporting.
The shift follows a spate of high-profile legal moves. In September 2025, Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the Times, targeting four reporters and a publishing house, alleging broad misinformation in the outlet’s coverage of him. In July 2025, he similarly threatened the Wall Street Journal over a report alleging Trump had sent a controversial letter to a convicted criminal — a story Journal editors defended.
Media executives say these threats are not just about legal outcomes. Many view them as part of a deliberate strategy aimed at undermining press freedom and intimidating journalists. As Healy told TheWrap, outlets must now actively defend not only their reporting but also the integrity and safety of their teams when under attack.
As a result, American news organisations are operating in a new era where even minor mistakes can trigger severe consequences. The legal and reputational risk — coupled with mounting public distrust and political pressure — is reshaping how journalism is practised and defended in the United States.
Reference –
Media Goes on Offense as Trump Steps Up His War on Journalism
