The White House has dramatically escalated its long-running conflict with the press by launching a new online weapon: a publicly accessible 'media bias tracker' designed to name and shame journalists and news organisations it accuses of distorting President Donald Trump's words.
The Inaugural 'Offenders'
Debuting on the official White House website, the new section appeared beneath a bold banner reading 'Misleading. Biased. Exposed.' It immediately targeted some of the nation's most powerful media brands, labelling CBS News, The Independent, and The Boston Globe as its inaugural 'Media Offenders of the Week.'
The dispute centres on coverage of Trump's explosive response to a viral video. In the clip, six Democratic lawmakers urged US service members to 'refuse illegal orders.' In reaction on Truth Social, Trump stated the message represented 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!' and later reshared a separate message containing the words 'hang them.'
The White House now asserts that these remarks were dangerously misrepresented. Its website states, 'The Democrats and Fake News Media subversively implied that President Trump had issued illegal orders to service members. Every order President Trump has issued has been lawful.'
A Sweeping 'Hall of Shame'
Beyond the weekly offenders, the administration has constructed a comprehensive 'Offender Hall of Shame', which features a scrolling database of reporters, publications, and disputed articles. Each entry is categorised under blunt labels including 'Bias,' 'Lie,' 'Malpractice,' and 'Left-wing Lunacy.'
The Hall of Fame currently includes:
- The Washington Post
- CNN
- MSNBC
A leaderboard ranks The Washington Post as the administration's top repeat offender. One article singled out was a report on the US Coast Guard's policy on hate symbols, which was later reversed and acknowledged by the paper.
In a blunt defence, a spokesperson for the Post stated, 'The Washington Post is proud of its accurate, rigorous journalism.' The White House has also compiled a wider roster of serial offenders, including The New York Times, Axios, and the Associated Press.
Fox News briefly appeared on the list, but its inclusion was removed after the outlet objected to a misattribution.
Intensifying Personal Attacks
This new media tracker marks the latest escalation in Trump's years-long campaign against major news organisations. The president is currently locked in legal battles with the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times and has repeatedly referred to mainstream outlets as 'the enemy of the people.'
Recent reporting also suggests he intends to sue the BBC for libel, claiming potential damages of up to $5 billion.
Trump's personal attacks on individual journalists, particularly women, have intensified in recent weeks. Examples include:
- Snapping 'Quiet, piggy' at a Bloomberg reporter aboard Air Force One.
- Labeling an ABC reporter 'a terrible person and a terrible reporter.'
- Calling a CBS News reporter 'a stupid person' after being questioned about vetting Afghan refugees.
- Describing a New York Times journalist on Truth Social as 'a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.'
Seth Stern, Director of Advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, warned that the administration's issue is not with objectivity, but with obedience. 'People understand the obvious conflict inherent in a presidential administration appointing itself the arbiter of media bias,' Stern said. 'I expect that after the initial wave of publicity, few Americans will be paying attention to this latest stunt. The gimmick is wearing thin.'
