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

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Florida TV stations threatened with prosecution; sued for airing election ad

Recently updated
1. Chilling Statement
Updated on

October 21, 2026

Date of incident

October 16, 2026

Location

Tallahassee, Florida

Targets

Spectrum Bay News 9, WESH, WFLA-TV, WFTS-TV, WFTV, WKCF, WKMG-TV, WOFL, WRDQ, WRMD-CD, WTSP, WTTA, WTVT, WXPX-TV
- #election
Trump targets news media, punishing critical coverage of his second term
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

October 19, 2026

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

David Sanger (The New York Times), CNN, Media, MSNBC/MS NOW, Politico, The New York Times
- #Donald Trump
Maryland congressman threatens student journalist over recording
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

October 13, 2026

Location

Cambridge, Maryland

Targets

Cat Murphy ([University of Maryland] Capital News Service)
- #election
- #student journalism
Todd Blanche targets press, leakers as acting attorney general
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

October 9, 2026

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, Media, NBC News
- #Department of Justice
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth targets news outlets, leakers
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

October 6, 2026

Location

Arlington, Virginia

Targets

Media, Stars and Stripes
- #Department of Defense
- #Donald Trump
Rep. Jason Smith targets press as chair of Ways and Means Committee
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

October 6, 2026

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

BreakThrough News
Florida official demands outlets delete document
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

September 15, 2026

Location

Tallahassee, Florida

Targets

David Fleshler (South Florida Sun Sentinel), Orlando Sentinel, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Markwayne Mullin targets press as secretary of homeland security
1. Chilling Statement
Date of incident

September 14, 2026

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Targets

Media
- #Department of Homeland Security
- #Donald Trump

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Articles About Chilling Statement

Media in the courthouse

Published

November 3, 2026

Written by

Stephanie Sugars
From defamation to detention and assault, Trump administration threatens journalism

Published

September 30, 2025

Written by

Kirstin McCudden
On social media, Trump targets the press on average once a day — for 10 years and counting

Behind a decade of attacks on the media lies Trump’s strategy of control.

Published

June 12, 2025

Written by

Stephanie Sugars

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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

Media in the courthouse

From defamation to detention and assault, Trump administration threatens journalism

On social media, Trump targets the press on average once a day — for 10 years and counting

Learn More About Our Categories