Judge weighs if Trump can charge for early access to social media posts
A federal judge is considering whether former President Donald Trump can profit from selling early access to government information released in his social media posts. The Justice Department argued there is no conflict.
A federal judge is currently weighing whether former President Donald Trump can charge for government information released in his social media posts. The decision could set a precedent for how presidents may financially benefit from information obtained during their term.
At a hearing on Wednesday, Department of Justice civil attorney Brantley Mayers argued that there is no conflict with Trump charging up to $100,000 monthly for instant API access to Truth Social posts. These posts often contain breaking news from his administration.
Trump is the largest stakeholder and majority owner of Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social. The value of the API access is largely derived from Trump’s role as president.
The Justice Department's argument suggests that the information, once made public by the president, is no longer exclusively government property and can therefore be monetized. This case highlights the complexities of post-presidency income and the use of official communications.