Summary
President Trump is using government power to punish media outlets that report facts he doesn’t like. He cut funding to NPR and PBS, tried to silence journalists, and sued the Wall Street Journal for billions. These actions may break the Constitution and threaten our free press.
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 4th District
Donald Trump isn’t just arguing with the press—he’s using the full power of the federal government to punish any outlet that tells the truth about him.
He’s trying to defund NPR and PBS. He’s suing the Wall Street Journal for $10 billion. He’s made one thing clear: if you hold him accountable, he’ll come after you.
This is not just unfair. It’s wrong. And it may be unconstitutional.
🎯 1. Defunding NPR & PBS
In May 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14290 to cut all federal money from NPR and PBS. He called them “woke” and “anti-American.”
But public stations help keep rural families informed. Now, PBS and NPR are suing, saying Trump broke the First Amendment by punishing speech he doesn’t like.
📺 2. FCC License Threats
Trump’s FCC chair started political investigations into ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, and PBS—but not FOX News. They even talked about taking away licenses and stopping media mergers.
This is not normal. It’s a direct attack on the First Amendment.
🕵️ 3. DOJ & IRS Weaponization
Reports say Trump used the Justice Department and IRS to go after his political enemies and journalists. Some actions were kept secret, but leaked memos showed they tried to “name and shame” critics.
🚫 4. Restricting Press Access
Since taking office in 2025, Trump has:
- Banned AP reporters for using the wrong words
- Revoked NPR and PBS press passes
- Only allowed pro-Trump outlets like Newsmax and OAN
This isn’t free speech. It’s propaganda.
💼 5. $10 Billion Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal
In July 2025, Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion. Why? Because they ran a story about a birthday card.
This is not about facts. It’s about scaring the media into silence.
⚖️ Final Thought
Yes, presidents can sue people in court. But when a president uses federal power to punish news he doesn’t like, he’s acting like a dictator.
The Constitution protects the press for a reason. We cannot have a free country without a free press.
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