Fact Check: Trump Threatens to Sue CNN and The New York Times Over Source Revelations
What We Know
On June 26, 2025, President Donald Trump threatened to sue both The New York Times and CNN. This legal threat was in response to articles published by these outlets regarding a preliminary intelligence report that indicated the U.S. airstrikes on Iran had only temporarily delayed the country's nuclear program by a few months, contrary to Trump's claims that the strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities (New York Times). Trump's attorney, Alejandro Brito, accused the news organizations of publishing "false," "defamatory," and "unpatriotic" information that damaged the president's reputation and demanded retractions and apologies (CNN).
Both news organizations responded by rejecting Trump's demands. The New York Times stated, "No retraction is needed. No apology will be forthcoming. We told the truth to the best of our ability" (New York Times). CNN also confirmed that it stood by its reporting, emphasizing the public interest in the information presented (CNN).
Analysis
The claim that Trump threatened to sue CNN and The New York Times is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Both the New York Times and CNN reported on the legal threats made by Trump’s attorney, which were based on the assertion that the news articles misrepresented the outcomes of the military action in Iran.
The reliability of these sources is high, as both are established news organizations with a history of journalistic integrity. The New York Times has a long-standing reputation for thorough reporting and fact-checking, while CNN is known for its extensive coverage of political events. Both outlets provided responses from their legal teams, which further supports the accuracy of their reporting.
Moreover, Trump's history of litigation against media outlets raises questions about the motivations behind these legal threats. Experts have noted that such actions can serve to intimidate journalists and stifle independent reporting, which is a critical component of a functioning democracy (Independent).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump threatened to sue CNN and The New York Times over their reporting on the U.S. airstrikes in Iran is True. The evidence from credible news sources confirms that legal letters were sent demanding retractions, which were subsequently rejected by both outlets. This incident reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media, particularly regarding the portrayal of military actions and their implications.
