News Industry Grapples With New Challenges Under Trump’s Second Term
Two months into Donald Trump’s second term as president, journalists across the country are already facing mounting pressure — legally, politically, and institutionally.
During Trump’s first term, the media was frequently labeled “fake news” or the “enemy of the people.” Now, the attacks are more strategic, coordinated, and systemic.
Legal Fights, Press Restrictions, and a Changing FCC
Trump’s second administration has launched a wave of actions impacting the news industry: lawsuits against major outlets, a reshaped Federal Communications Commission pursuing investigations into legacy media, and tighter control over which journalists get access to the White House.
The Associated Press has already filed legal action after being blocked from covering certain White House events. A newly aggressive FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr is investigating CBS over a “60 Minutes” segment on Vice President Kamala Harris, ABC News for its debate fact-checking, and NBC for potentially violating “equal time” laws by having Harris on “Saturday Night Live.”
Voice of America has been gutted, public data has disappeared from government websites, and several media outlets have been evicted from Pentagon press spaces — raising concerns about access during national emergencies.
“This is a full-on campaign to diminish and obstruct journalism in the United States,” said Bill Grueskin, a journalism professor at Columbia University. “It’s not like 2017. This is far more organized and aggressive.”
Trump Allies Say the Media Needed a Shakeup
Trump’s supporters argue the shift is overdue. Former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer pushed for changes even before Trump took office again, calling for press briefings to reflect how people consume news in 2025 — from podcasts and niche outlets, not just the traditional press corps.
“Readers don’t get their news from The New York Times or the networks anymore,” Fleischer said. “They get it from a myriad of sources.”
Fleischer added that newer conservative outlets are asking more relevant questions to everyday Americans instead of playing “gotcha” games. Some of the press pool’s newer members have asked questions that clearly lean into right-wing talking points, like the Ruthless podcast asking if reporters questioning border policy are “out of touch.”
The Associated Press was blocked from certain events in a dispute over Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico, escalating press freedom concerns. The White House Correspondents’ Association has pushed back, but with limited success.
Rapid Response Teams and Social Media Attacks on Journalists
The Trump administration has also ramped up its messaging machine. A new X (formerly Twitter) account called “Rapid Response 47” aims to counter reporting it deems biased and “hold the Fake Media accountable.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, has quickly become a face of this approach. Clips of her confronting reporters often go viral on TikTok. “We know for a fact there have been lies pushed by many legacy media outlets,” she said during her first briefing. “We will not accept that.”
Even the Defense Department now runs a “fake news” rapid response account, signaling the broad reach of the administration’s media strategy.
Lawsuits, Libel Threats, and Ownership Pressure
Trump has filed lawsuits against CBS over the “60 Minutes” interview edit, and against The Des Moines Register for what he says was an inaccurate Iowa poll. Media advocates worry these lawsuits will have a chilling effect, especially on smaller outlets that may back off controversial stories to avoid legal costs.
“The intimidation factor is real,” Grueskin said. “It has a very corrosive effect over time.”
Ownership pressures are another growing concern. Both The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times backed off endorsing Harris last year under influence from their owners. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the Post, even attended Trump’s inauguration. When the Post recently announced a reorganization, Leavitt responded online: “The mainstream media is finally learning that having disdain for more than half the country who supports this president does not help you sell newspapers.”
Journalists Push Back — But the Industry Feels the Strain
Despite all this, some newsrooms are holding their ground. “60 Minutes” has continued airing tough reports. The Atlantic is hiring more staff. Wired has doubled down on tech and politics coverage.
Still, the overall picture is bleak. The future of Voice of America is uncertain. Government news subscriptions — a key source of revenue for some outlets — may be cut. And there’s rising concern about weakening legal protections against libel lawsuits.
“They’re pulling at every thread they can find to try and undermine credible news organizations,” Grueskin said. “And it’s only been two months.”
