President Donald Trump attacked The New York Times on Truth Social, saying the paper could be "forced to close" in the "not too distant future." He disputed reporting on his rally sizes, defended his Doral resort in Miami, and insulted reporters Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman. The remarks come amid broader White House strains with major outlets, including denied access for Politico and a public clash with CNN over polling.
Trump Says The New York Times Could Be 'Forced To Close' as Feud With Media Escalates
Screenshots via CSPAN (L)/The Atlantic (R)
President Donald Trump on Monday launched a blistering attack on The New York Times, warning the newspaper could be "forced to close" in the "not too distant future." The comments mark a further escalation in his second-term tensions with major news organizations.
What Happened
Trump reacted after the Times reported that the venue for his Friday rally in Alabama "was not full." Posting on Truth Social, he mistakenly attributed that description to a Saturday rally in Ohio and insisted his events consistently draw large crowds.
"There are no empty seats, there haven't been for years, and there never will be... The Rallies are 'HOTTER' than ever. They are all 'happenings,' and they never happened before, and will never be duplicated again."
Hours later, Trump posted a more personal and menacing message directed at the paper and two of its reporters. In a post aimed at the Times he wrote:
"Some day in the not too distant future The Times will be forced to close its dirty doors, and that will be a Great Day for America!"
Defense of Doral and Attacks on Reporters
Trump also defended his Trump National Doral resort in Miami, accusing the Times of publishing a doctored photo to make the property appear dilapidated. He praised Doral's Blue Monster course as "one of the Best, and Toughest, anywhere in the World," and called the paper a "CROOKED outfit" while singling out reporters Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman with derogatory nicknames.
Broader Media Tensions
The White House has taken steps seen as hostile to some outlets during Trump’s second term, including efforts to restrict access by CNN, MSNBC and Politico. On Monday, the administration denied Politico permission to board Air Force One. Later, Trump publicly clashed with CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she referenced his slipping poll numbers among Latino voters, calling CNN "fake news."
Critics say the rhetoric raises concerns about press freedom and the tone of presidential discourse; supporters argue he is confronting perceived media bias. The episode underscores the intensifying and highly public feud between the president and several mainstream news organizations.
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