Trump Targets Media Amid Low Economic Approval Ratings

In his first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump has escalated efforts to control his media narrative, taking cues from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán by restricting press access and challenging independent outlets. Trump has excluded major news organizations like the Associated Press from the White House press pool and dismantled government-funded news agencies, while launching a taxpayer-funded news aggregation site, The White House Wire, to highlight favorable coverage and bypass mainstream media. He has also initiated lawsuits and public threats against major legacy outlets, including CBS, ABC, and The New York Times, accusing them of election interference and 'tortious interference' for publishing expert opinions critical of his legal actions. These moves have drawn criticism for undermining press freedom and democratic norms, as Trump continues to accuse mainstream media of coordinated attacks against him and his administration.