President Donald Trump and White House aide Natalie Harp are facing legal action concerning a Truth Social subscriber program reportedly offering early access to official government content for a substantial fee. The lawsuit, initiated on September 17 by watchdog groups American Oversight and Campaign for Accountability, claims this program obstructs the public’s equal and timely access to government information, violating the First and Fifth Amendments as well as federal law.
The complaints were filed against the White House and Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. The plaintiffs are expressing concerns that the service privileges those who can afford the subscription, rather than ensuring the public has equal access to government information.
Exploring Truth API
The Truth API, introduced on August 1, offers subscribers real-time access to posts from various significant Truth Social accounts, including those of government officials. Subscription costs for the service are $100,000 monthly, with a discounted rate of $60,000 monthly available for a three-year commitment.
The API, standing for application programming interface, enables different software systems to share data. Truth API grants subscribers a live feed of updates from selected Truth Social accounts. Notable accounts involved include those of Trump himself, the White House, and several high-profile federal officials like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FBI Director Kash Patel. These individuals, along with several federal agencies and White House offices, are listed in the lawsuit.
Natalie Harp is identified as a defendant due to her role as a primary staffer responsible for aiding Trump in updating his Truth Social account.
Potentially ‘Market-Moving’ Information
The lawsuit emphasizes the use of Truth Social by Trump and other officials for announcing key policy decisions and executive actions. Some cited examples include Trump’s January statement on Venezuela and updates about the war in Iran. The complaint highlights the impact of these announcements on both the public and financial markets.
Kevin McGurn, interim CEO of Trump Media & Technology Group, stated in July that Truth Social posts often influence markets. The Truth API is expected to generate ongoing revenue for the company, as indicated in a company press release.
The plaintiffs assert that early access to information via Truth API could provide financial opportunities for subscribers by allowing them to act on significant announcements ahead of the public. The company reportedly had revenue in the “mid-teens” subscribers, potentially earning over $1 million in one month alone.
The lawsuit mentions that Trump and certain government officials hold financial interests in Trump Media & Technology Group. Trump had previously shifted his shares to the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust before his second presidential term, making the trust the company’s largest stakeholder. These assets are valued at over $1 billion with Trump as the sole beneficiary, according to the lawsuit.
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