House Dems Take Aim at Trump Media’s Real-Time Feed

Originally published in The Washington Street Journal 

By David Uberti 

The latest hint of how Democrats might scrutinize President Trump’s business empire should they regain control of Congress in November: another bill targeting Trump Media’s sale of faster access to his Truth Social posts.

Lawmakers led by Rep. Jim Himes (D., Conn.), today introduced a bill that would ban social-media firms from selling prioritized access to government officials’ accounts, as well as trading based on material information they post. The legislation follows a similar proposal in the Senate and a lawsuitby media groups arguing Truth API is unconstitutional.

“The country doesn’t need one more piece of evidence that the universe is rigged against it,” said Himes, who acknowledged the bill is likely dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled House.

Trump Media recently said at least 10 firms signed up for Truth API for as much as $100,000 a month, describing the product as a “fractionally faster” feed for clients such as trading firms. Executives likened the service to those from financial-data providers.

Truth API is different in that Trump, who owns a roughly 41% stake in Trump Media through his trust, routinely moves markets with posts on topics from trade policy to the Iran war. “If you oppose this bill,” Himes said, “you’re going to explain to the American people why you do.”