Trump slams legacy media ‘fake news,’ ‘Even if Iran surrenders they’ll call it our loss’
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump erupted into another blistering attack on major news outlets Tuesday, May 26, accusing what he called the “fake news media” of being so hostile toward him that they would portray even a total Iranian surrender as a defeat for the United States.
In an explosive Truth Social post, Trump mocked major newspapers and television networks while defending his administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and escalating his long-running war with the press.
Trump blasts 'fake news' outlets
The president’s lengthy social media post painted an exaggerated scenario in which Iran’s military completely collapsed before the United States, only for American media organizations to allegedly spin the outcome against him.
“If Iran surrenders, admits their Navy is gone and resting at the bottom of the sea, and their Air Force is no longer with us,” Trump wrote, “and if their entire Military walks out of Tehran, weapons dropped and hands held high, each shouting ‘I surrender, I surrender’ while wildly waving the representative White Flag…”
Trump continued by claiming that even under those circumstances, major outlets would still frame the war as an American failure.
“The Failing New York Times, The China Street Journal (WSJ!), Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN, and all other members of the Fake News Media, will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America,” he wrote.
“The Dumacrats and Media have totally lost their way,” Trump wrote. “They have gone absolutely CRAZY!!!”
Trump's attacks against legacy media
Tuesday’s outburst follows another tense confrontation earlier this month involving The New York Times White House correspondent David Sanger aboard Air Force One.
During the exchange, Sanger questioned Trump about whether renewed bombing campaigns in Iran would achieve meaningful political results after weeks of military operations.
Trump to NYT's David Sanger: "I had a total military victory. But the fake news, guys like you, write incorrectly. You're a fake guy. We had a total military victory. I actually think it's sort of treasonous what you write. You should be ashamed of yourself. I actually think it's… pic.twitter.com/QK421YHKtq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2026
“What would the use be in repeating the bombing?” Sanger asked. “You did it for 38 days and you did not get the political changes in Iran.”
Trump reacted angrily, immediately accusing the reporter of spreading false narratives about the conflict.
“I got a total military victory,” Trump fired back. “But the fake news, guys like you, write incorrectly.”
“I actually think it’s sort of treasonous what you write,” Trump told him.
The president has spent weeks accusing major media organizations of deliberately undermining his administration’s messaging on Iran.
The president has also singled out several outlets by name.
“The New York Times, which is a fake paper, it’s just a fake,” Trump said. “You just believe the opposite.”
President Trump on Truth Social: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL HAS LOST ITS WAY!
— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) April 22, 2026
An IDIOT on The Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board, named Elliot Kaufman, just wrote an Op Ed entitled, “The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.” Really?
For 47 years, they have killed our people, and… pic.twitter.com/XinTvBEbdc
Trump’s anger has not been limited to CNN or The New York Times. Earlier this year, the president attacked The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper published criticism of his handling of Iran policy.
In a separate social media post, Trump dismissed the publication as a “failing political rag” while insisting its editorial direction had collapsed.
