Donald Trump's lawsuits against media outlets threaten press freedom

The right to gather, publish and distribute information without prior restraint or reprisal, and the legal protections that secure it. Covers source protection, prosecutions of reporters, access to public proceedings and the conditions under which journalism can be practised at all.

A district court decision on September 23, 2026, dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, USA Today Co., and pollster Ann Selzer, finding inaccurate preelection polling did not constitute consumer fraud. Trump’s lawyers said they plan to appeal.