United States (US) President Donald Trump is facing a lawsuit over a paid subscription service that gives users early access to his posts on Truth Social.
The lawsuit, filed in New York by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), argues that the arrangement is unconstitutional and creates a conflict of interest.
At the centre of the case is Truth API, a premium data service launched by Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which reportedly charges subscribers up to $100,000 per month.
The service allows subscribers to view selected Truth Social posts almost instantly, giving them access a few seconds before the content becomes publicly available.
Trump frequently uses the platform to announce government policies and comment on issues such as tariffs and international conflicts, including developments related to Iran.
According to the lawsuit, providing paying customers with early access to information that can influence financial markets allows the president to benefit financially through his company.
“This scheme is profoundly corrupt. The president stands to gain financially by giving ‘market-moving’ government information to those who are willing and able to pay his personal company,” the court filing states.
Trump owns a 41% stake in TMTG, the company that operates Truth Social.
While TMTG has rejected concerns surrounding the service, which was introduced in July, Truth API provides early access to posts from several high-profile accounts on the platform.
