Two nonprofit organizations filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against President Donald Trump, alleging that a new service offering early access to his Truth Social posts violates constitutional rights and constitutes corruption.
The lawsuit, brought by The Intercept Media and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, targets the Truth API service launched by Trump Media & Technology Group, which provides subscribers with near-instant access to posts from high-profile accounts, including Trump’s, for fees ranging from $60,000 to $100,000 per month.
Key developments:
- The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 7.
- The service promises subscribers millisecond-level faster access to posts from accounts such as Trump’s, Vice President JD Vance, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
- Trump Media’s interim CEO Kevin McGurn confirmed in an earnings call that the company has signed more than 10 customers, primarily high-frequency trading firms, for the service.
Background and context:
The Truth API was announced by Trump Media on July 15, described as a machine-readable data feed designed to provide faster access to posts from the platform’s top accounts. McGurn stated that the service is intended to offer “market-moving” posts to paying subscribers, including financial institutions, news organizations, and developers of large language models.
The lawsuit argues that the service violates the First and Fifth Amendments by creating an unequal system where individuals and organizations can pay for preferential access to official government announcements. The complaint alleges that the arrangement is “extraordinary, corrupt, and unconstitutional”, enabling Trump to profit financially from government information.
Reactions and responses:
Neither Trump Media nor the White House responded to requests for comment from multiple outlets. The lawsuit follows criticism from Democratic senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren, who previously urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate whether the service could facilitate market manipulation.
Market impact and subscriber base:
Trump has used Truth Social to share market-sensitive announcements, including posts on tariffs and geopolitical developments, which have historically triggered rapid fluctuations in stock and oil prices. According to the lawsuit, at least five trading companies signed up for the service shortly after its launch.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the Truth API service, arguing that it undermines the principle of equal access to government information and constitutes an unreasonable financial barrier to public discourse.
Legal and ethical concerns:
The complaint asserts that the service privatizes government information for personal profit, violating constitutional protections. Legal experts supporting the lawsuit, including representatives from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), argue that no individual or entity should be able to purchase priority access to official presidential communications.
The lawsuit reflects broader concerns about conflicts of interest and the monetization of public office, particularly given Trump’s ownership of Truth Social and his continued use of the platform for official communications.