The Intercept Sues Trump Over the $100,000-a-Month Feed That Sells Traders Early Access to His Posts

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation sued President Trump and other officials in Manhattan federal court on Aug. 12, 2026, seeking to bar the White House from posting official announcements exclusively on Truth Social while Truth API operates. Truth API, launched Aug. 1 by Trump Media & Technology Group, charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to 10 accounts including Trump's and JD Vance's. The complaint calls the service "profoundly corrupt" because the president gains financially when subscribers sign up, and argues it violates the First Amendment. Trump holds a 41.3% stake in Trump Media worth roughly $950 million; the company is not a defendant.

The suit tests whether a president may route market-moving official communications through a paid tier he profits from. Senators Warren and Schiff asked the SEC to investigate in late July.

The allegations are untested. A Trump Media spokesperson said other outlets already redistribute Trump's posts and accused the plaintiffs of trying to "weaponize the courts to censor him."