Justice Department Backs Paid Early Access to Trump's Truth Social Posts
A Justice Department lawyer argued in federal court that a Truth Social API subscription costing $100,000 per month for immediate access to President Trump's posts is justified because presidents are known by how they communicate. Judge Paul Oetken questioned the comparison to Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats, noting that Roosevelt did not charge listeners. The case centers on whether the paid service gives traders early access to announcements that can move markets.
The case involves a Truth Social API subscription priced at $100,000 per month, giving customers access to President Trump’s posts as soon as they appear. The service is described as a way for traders to see statements that may shift financial markets.
In federal court, DOJ civil division lawyer Brantley Mayers compared Trump’s use of Truth Social to Franklin Roosevelt’s radio broadcasts and John F. Kennedy’s effective use of television. Judge Paul Oetken, an Obama appointee in the Southern District of New York, asked if listeners paid Roosevelt for those broadcasts. Mayers noted that owning a radio required money, while Roosevelt himself did not bill listeners.
The case may affect investors, media organizations, and ordinary users who rely on timely information. If paid early access is upheld, market participants with large budgets could gain a timing advantage, potentially widening information gaps. It could also shape how public officials’ online statements are treated when they move financial markets. The court’s ruling may influence expectations about equal access to presidential communications and the responsibilities of platforms that sell priority access.