'Profoundly corrupt': Trump faces lawsuit after selling early access to Truth Social posts

US President Donald Trump was sued on Wednesday by the Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation over Truth API, a paid service offering early access to his Truth Social posts. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges the service is 'profoundly corrupt' and violates the First Amendment. The plaintiffs seek to block the White House from posting official announcements exclusively on Truth Social while the paid feed exists.

US President Donald Trump was sued on Wednesday by two media entities, the Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, seeking to shut down Truth API, a new service that sells paid access to the president's posts on his Truth Social platform. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, challenges the feed offered by Trump Media & Technology Group, which charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to 10 high-profile Truth Social accounts, including Trump's own. The plaintiffs called the service 'profoundly corrupt' because the president stands to gain financially when subscribers sign up, and argued it violates the First Amendment by denying equal access to Trump's announcements. The lawsuit also seeks to block the White House from posting official government announcements exclusively on Truth Social while the paid feed exists. Truth API launched on August 1, four days after Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff called on the SEC to investigate whether it undermined financial market integrity. Trump has long used Truth Social to disclose news that can move markets. The president is Trump Media's largest shareholder, with a 41.3% stake worth approximately $950 million. A Trump Media spokesperson defended the service, saying 'countless' platforms already disseminate information from Trump.