Chilling Statement

Data Tracked For This Category

Select public threats made to reporters and media organizations by U.S. politicians and other public figures, which can have a chilling effect on journalism.

Recent Incidents

Trump, his administration move to punish outlets during second term
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

August 1, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

CNN, Media, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, National Public Radio, PBS News, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio y Televisión Martí, The New York Times, Voice of America
- #Donald Trump
Brendan Carr targets news outlets as chair of the FCC
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

July 29, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

ABC News, CBS News, KCBS, MSNBC, National Public Radio, NBC News, NBCUniversal, PBS News
Congressman accuses Fox of deceptively editing Trump’s Epstein remarks
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

July 17, 2025

Location

Washington, D.C.

Targets

Fox News
Kristi Noem targets press, leakers as homeland security secretary
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

July 1, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

CNN, Media, The Dakota Scout
- #Donald Trump
Kari Lake targets press as senior adviser for U.S. Agency for Global Media
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

June 25, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

Alhurra, Alhurra-Iraq, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio y Televisión Martí, Sawa Iraq, Sawa Levant, Voice of America
- #Donald Trump
Florida newspaper receives cease and desist letter from state agency
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

June 6, 2025

Location

Orlando, Florida

Targets

Jeffrey Schweers (Orlando Sentinel), Orlando Sentinel
Pete Hegseth targets news outlets, leakers as defense secretary
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

May 26, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

Haley Britzky (CNN), Media, The New York Times
- #Donald Trump
Andrew Ferguson targets news media as FTC chair
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

May 21, 2025

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

Media Matters for America

Go to Incidents Database

Articles About Chilling Statement

In 100 days, a laundry list of attacks on the media

From limiting media access to investigating journalists, the Trump administration’s first 100 days have targeted the media on multiple fronts

Published

April 30, 2025

Written by

Kirstin McCudden
Trump, allies pursue multipronged campaign against the press

Published

July 1, 2025

Written by

Stephanie Sugars
All the president’s invective

Tracking Donald Trump's anti-press rhetoric online as both candidate and president

Published

January 14, 2025

Written by

Freedom of the Press Foundation

Learn More About Our Categories

Arrest/Criminal Charge Assault Border Stop Chilling Statement Denial of Access Equipment Damage Equipment Search or Seizure Leak Case Prior Restraint Subpoena/Legal Order Other Incident

Chilling Statement

Data Tracked For This Category

Recent Incidents

Articles About Chilling Statement

In 100 days, a laundry list of attacks on the media

Trump, allies pursue multipronged campaign against the press

All the president’s invective

Learn More About Our Categories