New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger has accused President Donald Trump of endangering the role of a free and independent press in the United States. In a speech delivered Tuesday at the University of Notre Dame, Sulzberger claimed Trump has followed a five-part strategy to undermine the media, comparing some of his rhetoric to that of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
Sulzberger alleged that Trump’s approach includes sowing public distrust of the press, encouraging harassment of journalists, abusing the legal system to punish reporters, weaponizing government agencies against media organizations, and promoting pro-government outlets over independent journalism. Despite these claims, Sulzberger acknowledged that President Trump is among the most media-accessible leaders in modern U.S. history.
The White House pushed back, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stating that President Trump “is leading the most transparent administration in history.” She noted that Trump routinely answers press questions, speaks directly to Americans, and signed an executive order to protect free speech on his first day back in office.
Sulzberger defended the Times as committed to holding power accountable, stating the paper’s mission is neither resistance nor cheerleading. He praised Times reporters for investigating Trump’s business ties but made no reference to the Biden family’s foreign dealings or the mounting evidence of alleged influence peddling. The omission raised concerns about selective scrutiny by mainstream outlets.
Sulzberger also insisted the Times has covered both Republican and Democrat administrations with equal rigor, citing reporting on President Biden’s age and limited press engagement. He claimed Biden’s allies criticized the Times for this coverage, portraying the outlet as equally challenged by both sides—a claim many conservatives would dispute.
The address reflects ongoing tensions between conservative leaders and legacy media, especially as the press continues to face credibility issues among right-leaning Americans.
