Trump Labels New York Times Coverage of Iran War “Treasonous” and Threatens to Expand $15 Billion Lawsuit

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to denounce The New York Times’ reporting on the Iran conflict as “treasonous.” He said the paper’s coverage was “fake and made-up ‘facts’” and warned he would add the reporting to his existing multibillion-dollar defamation suit against the newspaper. The lawsuit, originally filed in September for $15 billion, was dismissed by a federal judge for containing “tedious and burdensome” language. Trump subsequently filed an amended 40-page complaint in the Middle District of Florida, naming the Times, its publisher Penguin Random House, and three reporters as defendants.

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In February 2024 the United States and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) that calls for a permanent cease-fire and opens a 60-day negotiating window on Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement stipulates that Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dispose of its enriched-uranium stockpile, and receive up to $300 billion for reconstruction in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. Within days of the signing, Iran’s military announced a temporary closure of the strait in response to Israeli strikes, casting doubt on the MoU’s durability.

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• Donald Trump – U.S. President and plaintiff in the defamation suit.

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• The New York Times – Defendant, represented by publisher Penguin Random House.

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• Reporters named in the complaint – Suzanne Craig, Russ Buettner, and Peter Baker.

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• U.S. District Judge – Dismissed the original 85-page complaint, citing procedural deficiencies.

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• Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson – Denied claims that the strait was closed, contradicting Iranian military statements.

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The New York Times described the lawsuit as “without merit” and an attempt to “stifle independent reporting and generate PR attention.” The judge who dismissed the original filing characterized the complaint as overly verbose and irrelevant to the legal issues. The administration’s public brief on the MoU emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that oil shipments have returned to near-pre-war levels.

The Independent

Republican commentators expressed alarm over the MoU’s $300 billion reconstruction provision. Radio host Mark Levin argued the plan “requires serious changes if not outright abandonment,” while Senator Bill Cassidy called it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.” Former Vice President Mike Pence warned the deal “smacks of appeasement” and could serve as a “lifeline to the Iranian regime.” Conversely, Sen. Lindsey Graham praised Trump’s criticism of the Times, calling the article an “insult to our men and women in uniform.”

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• Lawsuit amount: $15 billion in claimed damages.

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• Reconstruction fund: Up to $300 billion for Iran’s economic development.

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• Inflation claim: Trump cited 250 % inflation in Iran.

Brussels Signal

• Oil flow: The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments.

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• Negotiation window: 60 days to finalize a permanent nuclear agreement.

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Trump asserted that Iran’s military, navy, and air force are “DONE” and that its leadership has been eliminated. The New York Times analysis, however, concluded that Iran’s nuclear program remains “heavily damaged but not eliminated” and that ballistic-missile capabilities and proxy forces persist. No independent verification of Trump’s casualty or equipment-destruction figures appears in the sources.

Brussels Signal

• “The way the Corrupt and Failing New York Times is covering stories on a very battered and beat up Iran, through FAKE & MADE UP ‘FACTS' is, in my opinion, ‘TREASONOUS,’” — Donald Trump, President

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• “I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multi Billion Dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals!” — Donald Trump, President

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• “REALLY? Their Military is DONE, their Navy is GONE, their Air Force is GONE, their Launching Pads, Missiles, Drones and Manufacturing of same, is almost GONE, their top two sets of Leaders are GONE, their Inflation is at 250%, their Economy is BROKEN, their Soldiers aren’t being paid, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN, THE OIL IS GUSHING, and the U.S. Stock Market and Jobs are at record HIGHS,” — Donald Trump, President

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• “merely an attempt to stifle independent reporting and generate PR attention.” — The New York Times spokesperson

The Independent

Trump seeks a jury trial and at least $15 billion in compensatory damages, with punitive damages to be determined at trial. Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation period under the MoU proceeds in Switzerland, while both sides monitor the status of the Strait of Hormuz and the flow of oil. The outcome of the lawsuit and the final terms of the Iran agreement remain pending.

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