Trump threatens legal action over anonymous sources in media, books
2 Min Read
Trump's administration announced a significant change in White House press access, breaking with decades of tradition by deciding that the White House itself will select which journalists get close access to the president in areas such as the Oval Office.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 (Ludovic Marin/Pool via AP)
US President Donald Trump has once again escalated his ongoing battle with the media, this time targeting the use of anonymous sources in books and news stories. Following the release of Michael Wolff's latest exposé, "All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America," Trump expressed his anger over claims made in the book, including allegations about his mental state following an assassination attempt during the election campaign.
According to Wolff, after surviving the attack, Trump reportedly exhibited erratic behavior, struggling to complete sentences and displaying anger that was "stunning even for the famously thin-skinned former reality TV star." The book also features a claim from a Mar-a-Lago insider suggesting that First Lady Melania Trump "hates him," adding to the controversy surrounding Trump's personal life.
Michael Wolff’s bombshell new book makes some startling new revelations about Donald Trump’s bizarre marriage to Melania.
— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) February 21, 2025
“She fucking hates him,” a “Mar-a-Lago patio confidant” of Trump and his family told the best-selling author. He writes that his source was “bewildered that… pic.twitter.com/wF0OKLh4cZ
In response, Trump stated on social media, "Fake books and stories" are emerging after his "wildly successful" first month back in office. He warned that "at some point, I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers" to verify the existence of these sources, "which they largely do not." He added, "They are made up, defamatory fiction, and a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty. I'll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!"
Trump's administration also announced a significant change in White House press access, breaking with decades of tradition by deciding that the White House itself will select which journalists get close access to the president in areas such as the Oval Office. This responsibility was previously managed by an independent association of American media organizations.
The change comes amid growing tensions between the White House and the press, as Trump's second term unfolds with an aggressive agenda. Notably, billionaire Elon Musk, who has been an influential adviser in Trump's administration, is actively involved in initiatives to streamline federal government operations, signaling a determined push for deregulation and conservative governance.
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