Trump accuses New York Times of using ‘fake & made up facts’ on Iran, vows to add claims to lawsuit

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of The New York Times on Sunday, June 21, accusing the newspaper of publishing false information about Iran and threatening to expand his ongoing legal action against the outlet. The president described the paper’s reporting as “treasonous” and claimed its coverage relied on “Fake and made-up facts." 

The criticism came after Trump also took aim at a New York Times analysis questioning how much had changed in Iran following nearly four months of conflict and a subsequent US-Iran agreement.

Trump disputes Times analysis as Lindsey Graham backs president’s assessment

Trump criticized a New York Times article titled “What Changed After Almost 4 Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.” Rejecting the premise of the headline, the president argued that the conflict had dramatically altered Iran’s military and economic position.

“Their Military is DONE, their Navy is GONE, their Air Force is GONE, their Launching Pads, Missiles, Drones and Manufacturing of same, is almost GONE,” Trump wrote.

He also claimed that Iran’s economy was struggling, its leadership ranks had been depleted, and that the Strait of Hormuz remained open despite recent tensions. Trump concluded the post by calling the newspaper’s journalists “corrupt and unethical cowards.”

The article that Trump criticized argued that key concerns surrounding Iran remained unresolved despite the war and subsequent agreement. According to the report, Iran’s nuclear program had been heavily damaged but not eliminated, while regional tensions involving Iran-backed groups continued.

Senator Lindsey Graham publicly backed Trump’s assessment, writing on social media that the president was “Spot on.”

“To say nothing has changed after Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury is an insult to our men and women in uniform,” Graham wrote. He added that the newspaper’s analysis ignored both the military damage inflicted on Iran and the economic pressure placed on the country during the conflict.

The dispute unfolded as Vice President JD Vance traveled to Switzerland for talks related to Iran and broader regional security issues, including tensions involving Israel and Lebanon. Trump also warned Iran against disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as a critical component of the agreement reached after the conflict.

Trump calls Iran reporting ‘treasonous’ and threatens legal action

Trump also accused the newspaper of misrepresenting conditions inside Iran and said the reporting would become part of his broader lawsuit against the publication.

“The way the Corrupt and Failing New York Times is covering stories on a very battered and beat up Iran, through Fake and made up 'facts' is, in my opinion, ‘Treasonous,'" Trump wrote.

He continued, “I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multi Billion Dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals!”

Trump's remarks followed criticism of the newspaper’s assessment of the impact of the Iran conflict and the diplomatic agreement that followed. The latest comments mark another escalation in the president’s long-running disputes with major news organizations, particularly over coverage of foreign policy and national security issues.