Trump's Escalating War on the Free Press
A decade ago, when Trump reentered the political scene, he wasted no time branding the media as the “enemy of the people”—a phrase with unmistakably Soviet overtones. He grasped early on that controlling the information space and propaganda was key—a hallmark of authoritarian regimes. During his first term, institutional guardrails limited his full-scale assault on the press, even as he relentlessly attacked journalists to cast doubt and sow distrust. But now, having learned from those setbacks and placed loyalists in key agencies—willing to do anything, even if it skirts legality—Trump has returned to power, ready to weaponize every agency at his disposal.
And now, with Trump back in power, his regime is taking steps that mirror the tactics used by dictators. The latest example came when the White House blocked Associated Press journalists from the Oval Office and Air Force One—simply because the AP refused to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” This isn’t a trivial dispute over semantics; for over 400 years, the Gulf of Mexico has borne that name. The AP’s unwavering commitment to historical accuracy is now being punished with a clear, chilling message: if you dare report the truth, you won’t get a seat at the table.
It’s not just a matter of media compliance—official maps from the United States, Google, and Apple have all been updated to reflect the “designation,” further cementing this dangerous precedent.
It doesn’t stop there. The White House press conferences now resemble those in Russia, where the narrative is tightly controlled and lies are presented as fact.
And it’s not hard to imagine what might come next. What if tomorrow Trump signs an executive order “declaring” Canada the 51st state? Would the media then be forced to spew those lies? After all, the media’s role is to act as a check on power—to report the truth and hold officials accountable. When that duty is compromised, our entire society pays the price.
But the assault doesn’t stop at blocking access. Behind closed doors, Trump’s FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, is ramping up investigations against major media outlets like NPR, PBS, and CBS. Carr is wielding regulatory power in a way that eerily mirrors the coercive tactics used in Russia to silence dissent. In Moscow, any independent media is crushed and labeled as a foreign agent to ensure that only government-sanctioned propaganda reaches the public. Now, we have trusted news outlets are under attack, forced to toe the line under the threat of punitive measures designed to ensure their compliance.
And let’s not forget the legacy of muzzling that Trump has built over the years. Remember CNN’s Jim Acosta, barred from the White House in 2018—a move that shocked the world and signaled Trump’s willingness to turn rhetoric into action? This time, CNN was pressured to relegate Acosta to the “graveyard slot,” ultimately forcing him out of the network. Today’s barring of AP journalists is a continuation of that dangerous, deliberate strategy—a strategy that undermines the very foundations of democratic accountability.
Trump has been in power for less than a month and has wasted no time launching an all-out war on the press—just as any dictator would. He aims to force journalists into self-censorship by threatening them with exclusion from key events, costly lawsuits, and relentless regulatory probes. The result is a chilling atmosphere where independent reporting will steadily be replaced by silence and conformity.
This is the hallmark of autocratic regimes like Russia, where state propaganda controls the narrative and independent media is nearly extinct. We’re witnessing a war on truth—a systematic assault on the free press and reality. Every unchecked act of repression draws us closer to a future where independent journalism is nothing more than a relic of the past.
After the election, I warned about Trump’s actions and laid out a grim scenario. Here is an excerpt:
Hostile Takeovers: Major media outlets critical of the regime may face buyouts by regime-friendly oligarchs, hostile regulatory scrutiny, or outright closures. These takeovers allow the regime to repurpose once-trusted news sources into tools of propaganda.
Censorship: The flow of information will be tightly controlled. Social media platforms will be pressured to suppress dissenting voices through legislation targeting “disinformation,” often a thinly veiled pretext for stifling criticism. Algorithms will be manipulated to deprioritize independent reporting and amplify regime-friendly content.
State Media Expansion: Regime-funded outlets will flood the airwaves and online spaces with propaganda, often disguised as legitimate news. This will foster a cult of personality around the leader and rewrite inconvenient truths, framing opposition voices as enemies of the people.
Media Self-Censorship: A climate of fear can be just as effective as direct government intervention. Expect the regime to create an environment where media outlets self-censor to avoid legal repercussions or physical harm. Journalists may shy away from covering controversial topics or investigations to protect their staff and avoid punitive measures like fines or asset freezes.
Intimidation of Journalists: Journalists who persist in reporting the truth will face significant personal and professional risks, including:
Harassment and Threats: Online trolling, smear campaigns, and physical intimidation will be carried out to silence reporters.
Surveillance: Journalists will become targets of state surveillance, with private communications intercepted and leaked to discredit or endanger them.
Arrests and Detention: Those who cross the regime’s red lines may face arbitrary detention or charges like espionage or sedition, echoing Russia's imprisonment of investigative journalists.
License Bans and Revocations: The regime may also weaponize licensing and accreditation requirements, threatening or revoking the credentials of outlets that refuse to conform. In Russia, this tactic has driven many independent voices underground or into exile. In the U.S., similar actions could manifest as government agencies tightening broadcast or publishing regulations to target dissenters, while regime-friendly outlets flourish under lenient oversight.
Now That America Elected a Dictator: What Can We Expect?
·
America has entered uncharted waters. With Trump’s victory, a leader who openly disregards democratic norms and embraces authoritarian tactics will soon hold power. This forces us to confront a sobering question: what happens next? Drawing from Russia’s repression under Vladimir Putin, we can anticipate a chilling blueprint for America’s future. If hist…
If we don’t defend the free press—especially those brave enough to stand up to this regime—and hold power accountable, these authoritarian tactics will only snowball. The chilling effects of bans, lawsuits, and regulatory abuse are laying the groundwork for state propaganda and will make it harder for all of us to access the truth while our media grows increasingly silent. And, censorship is spreading across all government agencies, with the regime banning words that don’t align with its extremist agenda. This should set off alarm bells and we must demand that lawmakers protect our First Amendment rights. I will continue documenting the erosion of our media and information landscape, but it’s up to all of us to stay informed, resist censorship, and push back.
Resisting Dictatorship: Ways to Fight Back
Your Guide to Resistance: Fighting Authoritarianism in the United States
For anyone interested in the daily erosion of our institutions, consolidation of power, weaponization of institutions, and escalating human and civil rights abuses check out The Trump Tyranny Tracker—my daily documenting tool.
Steve Bannon laid the groundwork for much of what's happening. He gave trump the flood the zone strategy they are using. He branded the media as the enemy. He went around the world pulling right wing governments and parties together. He wanted to deconstruct the government. They are now doing all these things.
Ms. Lautman, thank you for another outstanding post - as frightening as it is. Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to rely on the courts to uphold the First Amendment and freedom of the press. Trump just said the quiet part outloud:
“He who saves the Country does not violate any Law.”
Trump and his traitorous legion believe they have a mandate to overthrow the Constitution. It will be up to the people to stop them.