The ongoing legal and financial actions by former United States President Donald Trump represent a concerted effort to undermine the media’s role in democracy. Since taking office, Trump has targeted various media organizations, employing lawsuits and government pressure to restrict their independence and influence. This strategy aims to diminish the media’s ability to hold him and others in power accountable.
The term “fourth estate” traditionally describes the media’s role as a watchdog over the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. In the current political landscape, Trump’s administration has effectively weakened these three branches. The Republican Party holds significant power in Congress, showing little inclination to challenge Trump’s actions. He has appointed loyalists to key executive positions, including controversial figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
In March 2024, Trump initiated a campaign against public broadcasting by cutting federal funding to Voice of America, labeling it “anti-Trump.” This funding cut extended to Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, further signaling his intent to stifle independent media voices. By July 2024, Trump stripped financial support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, eliminating federal backing for National Public Radio and its affiliated stations.
Trump’s tactics have since shifted to targeting private media companies directly. In October 2024, he filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Paramount for allegedly deceptive editing of a CBS interview with Kamala Harris. After becoming president in February 2025, he increased the claim to $20 billion. Legal experts deemed the lawsuit lacking merit, yet Paramount was navigating a merger with Skydance Media, rendering it susceptible to pressure from the Trump administration.
On July 2, 2025, Paramount settled the lawsuit for $16 million, purportedly for Trump’s presidential library funding. Shortly thereafter, CBS announced the cancellation of the popular Late Show hosted by Stephen Colbert, a known critic of Trump. This cancellation occurred just as the Trump administration approved the merger deal, prompting investigations into the nature of the settlement.
Trump’s legal battles extended to Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal, where he sued for $10 billion in defamation over an article linking him to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Legal analysts suggest that such cases rarely succeed, particularly as public figures must demonstrate malicious intent on the part of publishers. The relationship between Trump and Murdoch, however, complicates the dynamics, as both rely on each other for influence and visibility.
Following this, Trump pursued a similar lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming $15 billion in damages for alleged defamation related to its endorsement of Harris. The outcome remains uncertain, as the Times has thus far resisted Trump’s intimidation tactics, unlike other outlets.
In September 2025, ABC faced pressure after abruptly pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air following Kimmel’s critical remarks about Trump. This decision came after Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened action against the network. The firing of Matthew Dowd from MSNBC for his comments on the violence surrounding Trump further illustrates the chilling effect on media personnel.
Trump has made explicit threats regarding the licenses of national networks, suggesting that those critical of him should face repercussions. His statements raise significant concerns about First Amendment protections and the future of press freedom in the United States. As the political landscape evolves, Trump successfully holds sway over two of the three major newspapers and two of the four television networks, with only a few key organizations remaining outside his influence.
The implications of Trump’s actions for democratic institutions and the integrity of the media landscape are profound. As legal battles unfold, the resilience of independent journalism will be tested in an era marked by increasing pressure from powerful political figures.
