Trump vs. the Free Press: How His War on Journalism Goes Beyond Past Presidents

What actions has Trump taken to undermine or restrict media opposition, and how have these efforts affected journalism and the balance of power in the U.S. government? A free and independent press is one of the great strengths of America—something many other countries wish they had.

Trump has taken numerous actions over the years to undermine, intimidate, and restrict media opposition, often framing journalists as enemies of the people. Here are some key ways he has done this:

1. Attacking and Discrediting the Press

• Labeling the Press as "Fake News" & "Enemy of the People" – Trump repeatedly attacked major news outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, calling them "fake news" and "the enemy of the people," language historically associated with authoritarian regimes.

• Encouraging Violence Against Journalists – He frequently used inflammatory rhetoric against reporters, leading to harassment, threats, and physical violence against members of the press.

• Refusing to Answer Questions – He walked out of press conferences and refused to answer questions from critical reporters, limiting accountability.

2. Legal & Institutional Threats to Journalism

• Revoking Press Credentials – The White House revoked CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press pass in 2018, only reinstating it after a legal battle.

• Threatening to Change Libel Laws – Trump repeatedly suggested making it easier to sue journalists and news organizations for defamation.

• Attempting to Block Book Releases – He tried to prevent the publication of books critical of his presidency, including ones by John Bolton and Mary Trump.

• Weaponizing the DOJ Against Reporters – His Justice Department secretly seized phone records from journalists in attempts to track down leakers.

3. Favoring Propaganda Over Independent Journalism

• Pushing State Media Narratives – Trump openly praised far-right media outlets like One America News Network (OANN) and Newsmax, favoring them over mainstream, fact-based journalism.

• Threatening Media Ownership – He pressured companies like AT&T to sell CNN and opposed mergers (e.g., Time Warner and AT&T) to punish critical networks.

4. Undermining Government Transparency & Media Access

• Ending Regular Press Briefings – Under Trump, the number of White House press briefings dramatically declined.

• Blocking Critical Journalists – His administration attempted to block certain reporters from government events.

• Encouraging Foreign Dictators’ Crackdowns on Press – By calling American journalists "enemies," he indirectly legitimized crackdowns on the press in authoritarian countries like Russia, China, and Turkey.

5. Stoking Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories

• Promoting Election Lies – He aggressively spread false claims about voter fraud, attacking the press for debunking his lies.

• Encouraging COVID-19 Misinformation – He undermined public health journalism by spreading false information about COVID-19.

Trump's ongoing attacks on the press reflect a broader pattern of undermining democratic institutions and eroding the balance of power. By delegitimizing media opposition, he weakens public trust in independent journalism, making it easier to consolidate power and escape accountability.

While past Democratic presidents have had conflicts with the media, Trump’s approach has been notably different in both scale and intent. Here’s how his actions compare to those of Democratic presidents:

Similarities with Past Presidents:

1. Criticizing the Press:

   • Many presidents, including Obama, Clinton, and even FDR, have expressed frustration with the media.

   • Obama, for example, complained about Fox News shaping conservative narratives.

   • JFK and LBJ also had contentious relationships with journalists.

2. Targeting Leakers & Journalists:

   • Obama’s administration aggressively pursued leaks, prosecuting more whistleblowers under the Espionage Act than all previous presidents combined.

   • The Obama DOJ secretly obtained phone records from Associated Press journalists and spied on Fox News reporter James Rosen.

3. Favoring Friendly Media Outlets:

   • All presidents tend to favor outlets that align with their messaging. Obama gave exclusive interviews to liberal-leaning media, just as Trump preferred OANN and Newsmax.

How Trump Was Different:

1. Declaring the Press an "Enemy of the People":

   • Unlike past presidents, Trump actively delegitimized the free press, calling it "the enemy of the people."

   • No modern Democratic president has used such authoritarian rhetoric.

2. Encouraging Violence & Harassment Against Journalists:

   • Trump routinely called for violence against the press, cheered physical attacks on reporters, and refused to condemn attacks on journalists.

   • Obama and other Democrats never encouraged violence against the media.

3. Revoking Press Credentials & Banning Journalists:

   • Trump revoked press passes from critical reporters like Jim Acosta (CNN) and Kaitlan Collins (CNN).

   • Past presidents have criticized reporters but did not go as far as banning them from the White House.

4. Attempting to Change Libel Laws:

   • Trump openly pushed to weaken First Amendment protections, making it easier to sue journalists for unfavorable coverage.

   • No Democratic president has seriously attempted this.

5. Threatening to Use Government Power to Control the Press:

   • Trump pressured media owners (e.g., trying to block AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner to hurt CNN).

   • He also suggested revoking broadcast licenses of networks critical of him.

   • Obama, Clinton, and other Democratic presidents never threatened corporate ownership to control media content.

While Democratic presidents have clashed with the press, Trump’s actions were far more aggressive and authoritarian. He didn’t just criticize the media—he sought to delegitimize it, undermine its constitutional protections, and weaponize government power against it.

Compiled with aid of ChatGPT