Trump’s $15B NYT Lawsuit Is Anti-Democratic Intimidation, Protect Our Free Press

We are sick and tired of President Trump's systematic assault on press freedom and demand immediate congressional action to stop his anti-democratic bullying of American media. Trump just filed a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times - exceeding the newspaper's entire market value - accusing it of being a "mouthpiece" for Democrats simply for reporting on his business practices and character (NPR, September 2025). This follows his successful intimidation campaigns against ABC and CBS, which settled for $16 million each rather than fight his baseless lawsuits in court. Trump has now weaponized the legal system against virtually every major news outlet that covers him critically, including a $10 billion suit against The Wall Street Journal. First Amendment experts warn that Trump's real strategy is not winning in court but imposing crushing financial pressure to silence independent journalism. As New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned just hours before Trump's latest lawsuit, this playbook aims to "exploit the civil courts to impose financial pressure" and "punish independent journalists." The settlements by Disney and Paramount have emboldened Trump to escalate these attacks, creating a chilling effect across American newsrooms. When major corporations pay millions to avoid defending press freedom in court, they enable authoritarian tactics that threaten the foundation of our democracy. Congress must act immediately to protect press freedom before Trump's litigation warfare destroys independent journalism entirely. Pass federal anti-SLAPP legislation with teeth to deter frivolous lawsuits against news organizations. Investigate whether Trump's coordinated legal campaign constitutes abuse of process. And make clear that using presidential power to intimidate the press violates his oath of office. A free press is essential to democracy - we cannot allow one man's vindictive lawsuits to silence the journalists who hold power accountable.