Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to jail a journalist who reported on the rescue of a U.S. airman in Iran, intensifying tensions between the White House and the media.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Trump said he would compel the reporter to reveal their source, warning of legal consequences if they refused.
“We’re going to go to the media company that released it, and we’re going to say, ‘National security, give it up or go to jail,’” he said.
The threat followed reports that one of two U.S. airmen aboard a fighter jet shot down over Iran had been rescued by U.S. forces. Trump argued that the disclosure could have jeopardised efforts to recover the second airman, who was later successfully rescued.
It remains unclear which journalist or media organisation the president was referring to, as several outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News and Axios, reported the development around the same time.
The White House has not clarified which specific report triggered the remarks.
The comments mark a further escalation in the administration’s criticism of media coverage related to the U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran, which Trump and his allies have described as overly negative.
Separately, Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, had warned that broadcasters airing what he described as “fake news” should correct their coverage ahead of licence renewals.
His remarks coincided with Trump’s claim that some media outlets were undermining U.S. efforts in the conflict.
By Faridah Abdulkadiri
