Trump’s DOJ Is Using Antitrust Law to Punish the Free Press

Ben Sperry October 22, 2026

USA Today View Original Source

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The First Amendment does not come with an antitrust loophole. President Donald Trump’s Justice Department nonetheless appears determined to find one.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division recently launched an investigation into five major television networks – ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News – under the Sherman Antitrust Act, a federal law prohibiting agreements that unlawfully restrict competition. Their alleged offense? Briefly suspending their shared White House coverage in protest after the administration abruptly revoked press credentials for reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

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