Donald Trump says reporters who cover his war on Iran in a negative manner should face charges of “TREASON”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after suggesting that journalists who report negatively on the U.S. military campaign against Iran should face charges of treason, a crime that can carry severe penalties under U.S. law.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of spreading disinformation and claimed some American media outlets were amplifying false reports about the conflict.
The president alleged that Iranian sources were circulating fabricated images and videos online, including visuals of “kamikaze boats” attacking ships and a video supposedly showing the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72) aircraft carrier burning at sea. Independent fact-checkers, including Agence France‑Presse, have previously reported that some viral war footage circulating online was created using artificial intelligence.
Trump also criticized reporting by The Wall Street Journal, which had covered an Iranian strike on a Saudi airbase that allegedly damaged several U.S. refueling aircraft. Trump dismissed the report as false and claimed most of the aircraft involved remain operational.
In his post, Trump argued that media outlets spreading what he described as false information could face serious legal consequences.
“Those media outlets that generated it should be brought up on charges for treason for the dissemination of false information,” Trump wrote.
Under U.S. law, treason is one of the most serious federal crimes and typically applies to individuals who wage war against the United States or assist its enemies.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One later Sunday, Trump continued to criticize media coverage of the conflict, accusing journalists of spreading misinformation generated by artificial intelligence.
“I actually think it’s pretty criminal because our media companies… are putting out information that they know is false,” Trump said.
Media analysts have pushed back against the claim. Brian Stelter said several major news organizations—including CNN and The New York Times—have actively fact-checked and debunked misleading videos related to the conflict.
During the exchange with reporters, Trump also clashed with journalists, criticizing ABC News and refusing to answer further questions from the outlet.
Trump’s comments come as the United States continues military operations in the region and tensions with Iran remain high. The president said significant damage had been inflicted on Iran’s military but stopped short of declaring the conflict over.
The remarks have intensified debate over press freedom and the role of the media in reporting on wartime developments.
Donald Trump via Truth Social
