President Donald Trump reportedly unleashed a vehement denunciation of Forbes on Monday morning, following a series of investigative articles about legal challenges facing his business ventures.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump described Forbes reporters as “sleazebags” and “bad reporters with evil intentions,” vigorously attacking their credibility and motives .
The furious outburst reflects Mr. Trump’s continued wariness of media outlets that report unfavorably on his affairs.
Though he did not cite any specific article, the vindictive salvo came after Forbes published a detailed piece scrutinizing financial arrangements linked to his companies—content Trump has repeatedly dismissed as a coordinated smear effort.
In his post, the president accused the magazine of employing what he called “terribly untalented” journalists intent on undermining his reputation.
He disclosed plans for a defamation lawsuit against Forbes and urged the public to “stay tuned” for more developments.
Experts note that Trump’s aggressive posture illustrates his enduring strategy of attacking traditional media outlets as antagonists.
By framing negative coverage as politically motivated, he seeks to rally his base against so-called “fake news” and undermine the influence of legacy journalism.
Legal analysts say Mr. Trump may be considering a defamation suit, but such cases face high barriers. Public figures, in this instance, must demonstrate “actual malice”—meaning the defendant either knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
A lawsuit would almost certainly trigger a protracted legal battle and a wave of discovery into internal reporting processes.
Forbes, for its part, defended its reporting. A spokesperson described the coverage as thoroughly vetted and grounded in public records and interviews.
The magazine declined to comment on potential litigation, citing pending developments.
The confrontation occurs as Trump navigates multiple legal fronts—from civil suits over business valuations to criminal charges in New York.
The Forbes attack fits a broader pattern: Trump routinely the ultra-liberal press while spotlighting criticism from mainstream outlets.
Trump’s threat to sue a nationally recognized business publication also raises questions about press freedom, with First Amendment advocates warning that high-profile defamation cases can burden newsrooms and chill investigative reporting.
Still, Trump’s incendiary rhetoric resonates with a sizable segment of his supporters.
By painting unfavorable coverage as part of a broader campaign, he continues to wield media warfare as a staple of his political playbook—targeting outlets ranging from CNN and The New York Times to Forbes itself.
As the legal proceedings unfold and Trump’s campaign accelerates, one question looms: Will the threat of litigation—or the lawsuits themselves—reshape the boundaries of political criticism and journalistic inquiry in the years to come?
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