Eric Trump threatens lawsuit against MS NOW, denies China business claims

'I have had zero involvement in any merger discussions involving any public entity I do not run or control', Eric Trump clarified
President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump threatened to sue anchor Jen Psaki and MS NOW after the network questioned China business deals (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump threatened to sue anchor Jen Psaki and MS NOW after the network questioned China business deals (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Eric Trump, on Friday, May 15, launched a furious public attack on MS NOW and host Jen Psaki, threatening legal action after a primetime segment questioned his presence in China alongside President Donald Trump and raised fresh questions about possible Trump-linked business activity in Beijing.

The president’s son accused Psaki of spreading “blatant lies” and insisted the broadcast falsely linked him to corporate dealings he says he has absolutely nothing to do with.



Eric Trump threatens legal action

The controversy erupted after Psaki dedicated part of her MS NOW show to Eric Trump’s appearance on the president’s China trip.

During the segment, she noted that Eric Trump holds no formal government position and is supposed to remain separated from official government activity because he oversees parts of the Trump business empire.

Psaki then pointed to a Financial Times report about a company allegedly linked to the Trump family exploring a possible deal with a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer involving artificial intelligence infrastructure.

.S. President Trump Meets With China's President Xi And Attends State Banquet
BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 14: China's President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and US President Donald Trump (2nd L) talk as Eric Trump (R) and his spouse Lara Trump (L) look on during their visit to the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Xi warned Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into
China's President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump talk as Eric Trump and his spouse Lara Trump look on during their visit to the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026, in Beijing, China (Brendan Smialowski - Pool/Getty Images)

“Guess where Trump’s adult son Eric is right now? Well, he’s with his father in China,” Psaki told viewers, before adding, “It certainly seems like Eric might be getting a little more than just quality time with his dad out of this China trip.”

That line appeared to trigger an immediate and unusually aggressive response from Eric Trump. 



“I intend to sue Jen Psaki and MSNBC over the below clip,” he wrote on social media. “Contrary to her monolog and blatant lies, I have NEVER been on the board of ALT5, not now, not ever.”

Eric Trump rejects merger negotiation claim

Eric Trump also rejected any suggestion that he was involved in merger negotiations involving public companies.

“I have had zero involvement in any merger discussions involving any public entity I do not run or control,” Eric Trump said and he was equally direct on the China allegations. “I have zero business interests in China. No properties, no investments, nothing!”

Seeking to explain why he was traveling with the president, Eric framed the visit as purely personal.

President Donald Trump walks with China's Vice President Han Zheng during a welcome ceremony Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump walks with China's Vice President Han Zheng during a welcome ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“I joined this trip for one reason: as a loving son who adores my father and wouldn’t miss being by his side for this incredible moment,” he added.

He added that while bilateral meetings were underway, he and Lara Trump visited the Great Wall.

The clash comes as Donald Trump’s China visit dominates global headlines, with the White House highlighting major trade, security, and geopolitical discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The Justice Department is investigating whether Harvard's China-linked scholarships discriminated against American students
1 hour ago
Trump suggested the ally was at fault, saying, 'When you let other people do your work, sometimes that doesn't work out'
1 hour ago
Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed unnamed senior Trump officials support military action against Iran because they are pursuing future presidential bids
3 hours ago
Days after accusing China of helping cost him the 2020 election, Trump downplayed Beijing's alleged role
3 hours ago
The case centers on releasing audio recordings and transcripts of Biden's 2016–17 interviews with his memoir ghostwriter
4 hours ago
Kennedy says the states must prove Medicaid payments were legitimate before more than $1 billion in federal funding is restored
4 hours ago
Republican lawmaker says newly declassified intelligence warrants suspending every Chinese F-1 and J-1 visa issued by the US
4 hours ago
As Democrats push for higher taxes on the wealthy, Trump argued the policy would drive rich residents to Republican-led states, leaving blue states
5 hours ago
Trump is reportedly pursuing a new legal route to revive his trade agenda despite advisers warning of economic and political fallout
5 hours ago
The Pentagon on Monday confirmed that around 100 US service members were injured in incidents and attacks originating from Iran since July 7
6 hours ago