U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened potential legal action against The New York Times, accusing the publication of “tortious interference” over its reporting on his ongoing lawsuit against CBS-owner Paramount Global.
In a statement posted Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, President Trump blasted the newspaper’s portrayal of his case, calling it misleading and damaging. “The case we have against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount is a true WINNER,” Trump declared. “Despite all of the above… the Failing New York Times, which is Fake News both in writing and polling, claims that ‘people’ said the case is baseless.”
Trump’s lawsuit targets a 60 Minutes interview aired last year with Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging it was intentionally edited to omit an embarrassing moment, thereby manipulating public perception during the election period. He argues that such an action constitutes election interference and damages his reputation as a candidate.
“Tortious interference,” a legal term referring to the intentional disruption of a contractual or business relationship, is central to Trump’s claim. He believes The New York Times may have committed such interference by publishing what he says is biased coverage that could impact ongoing legal proceedings and public opinion.
Recent reports indicate that Paramount’s leadership is exploring a settlement with Trump, potentially to avoid legal complications amid a planned corporate sale. However, The New York Times and other outlets have cited legal experts who suggest Trump’s claims are unlikely to hold up in court, due to strong constitutional protections for freedom of the press.
President Trump rejected these assessments, stating: “Nothing like this, the illegal creation of an answer for a Presidential Candidate, has ever been done before. They have to pay a price for it.”
This development highlights Trump’s continued aggressive stance toward the media, which he has frequently accused of bias and misinformation. Legal scholars note that suing a news outlet for coverage related to a public figure—especially a sitting president—faces steep legal obstacles under the First Amendment.
Nonetheless, Trump’s comments mark a significant escalation in his confrontation with major media organizations as he seeks to assert control over the narrative surrounding his presidency.
