President Donald Trump has accused parts of the US news media of committing “virtual treason” by suggesting that Iran is performing well in the ongoing war, saying such reports provide encouragement to an enemy of the United States.

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In a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said media outlets describing Iranian military success were spreading false information and undermining the country during wartime.

“When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON,” Trump wrote.

President criticises coverage of conflict

He described such reporting as “false” and “preposterous” and said it could give Iran “false hope when none should exist”.

Trump also accused journalists of helping the enemy by repeating claims about Iranian battlefield performance. “They are aiding and abetting the enemy,” he wrote, adding that some Americans reporting the news were “rooting against our country”.

Definition of treason under US law

Under the United States Constitution, treason is defined narrowly. It applies to individuals who wage war against the United States or who provide aid and comfort to its enemies while owing allegiance to the country.

The president did not suggest that specific individuals or organisations should face legal charges, but his comments reflect a long-running dispute between his administration and major news outlets over coverage of the conflict.

In the same post, Trump repeated earlier claims that US military operations had severely weakened Iran’s armed forces. He said Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been largely destroyed and claimed that leaders in Tehran “are no longer with us”, although he did not provide further details.

Trump has consistently argued that US forces, alongside Israel, have achieved significant military successes against Iran since fighting began.

Ongoing tensions with the media

The president’s criticism of the press has intensified since the start of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. Trump has repeatedly accused news organisations of misrepresenting the conflict and undermining public confidence in US military efforts.

Earlier this year, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, warned that broadcast licences could be reviewed after Trump accused some outlets of spreading inaccurate reports about the war.

Carr, who was appointed during Trump’s administration, said at the time that the regulator had authority to examine whether broadcasters were meeting their obligations.

The comments were part of a broader confrontation between the White House and sections of the media over the accuracy and tone of reporting about the conflict.

Despite the criticism, US news organisations have continued to report on battlefield developments and statements from officials on all sides of the war.

Trump’s latest remarks underline the ongoing political tension surrounding coverage of the conflict, as the administration continues to defend its military strategy and challenge reporting it considers unfavourable.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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The actual Truth Social post as linked in the CBS OP Source:

12 minutes ago, JerryM said:

The actual Truth Social post as linked in the CBS OP Source:

The IRGC's mosquito fleet is about to take a battering. As far as a naval force these were always the real threat not the deep water fleet which has pretty much been sunk. As for the media it's obvious to all that are not sufferers and haven't been brainwashed from a decade of Democrat and MSM rhetoric that the MSM is fully biased against Trump. Of course "virtual treason" doesn't mean actual treason. This thread will now be taken over by the aforementioned sheeple and Trump haters that fully believe everything MSM spews out.

Edited May 12May 12 by dinsdale

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Trump haters that fully believe everything MSM spews out.

As opposed to everything Trump spews out as he himself writes.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Under the United States Constitution, treason is defined narrowly. It applies to individuals who wage war against the United States

If one is to play around with that definition of treason, as Trump so often does, well perhaps driving convoys of coaches and horses through the provisions of the Constitution, as Trump so often does, should also amount to "virtual treason"?

19 minutes ago, JAG said:

Trump so often does, well perhaps driving convoys of coaches and horses through the provisions of the Constitution,

Got any examples of the Supreme Court proving Trump has violated the constitution other than the tariffs then this is just an example of a rhetoric driven talking point from the left.

Edited May 13May 13 by dinsdale

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Got any examples of Congress proving Trump has violated the constitution, otherwise this is just an example of a rhetoric driven talking point from the left.

You don't need a Republican dominated Congress to prove he has violated the constitution, it is worded quite clearly and it's clear he has either done it or tried.

Just now, JBChiangRai said:

You don't need a Republican dominated Congress to prove he has violated the constitution, it is worded quite clearly and it's clear he has either done it or tried.

I have edited my previous post.

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Got any examples of Congress proving Trump has violated the constitution, otherwise this is just an example of a rhetoric driven talking point from the left.

Based on reports and legal analyses from 2025 and early 2026, Donald Trump's second administration has been marked by multiple, ongoing legal challenges alleging that his actions and executive orders violate the United States Constitution. [1, 2]

Legal experts, civil liberties groups, and federal courts have flagged several key areas where President Trump's actions have been deemed unconstitutional or have sparked a constitutional crisis, including: [1, 2]

• Birthright Citizenship (14th Amendment): On January 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizens. In February 2025, federal judge Leo Sorokin issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking this order, ruling it was likely a direct violation of the 14th Amendment.

• Separation of Powers & Power of the Purse (Article I): Critics contend that freezing congressionally appropriated funds—including an attempted freeze of federal spending in early 2025 and the attempted termination of the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act—violated the Constitution's separation of powers and Congress’s exclusive authority over federal spending.

• First Amendment Rights: Several actions have been accused of violating First Amendment rights, including targeting law firms that represented political opponents, sanctions on the International Criminal Court that restricted legal advice, and retaliating against news outlets.

• Immigration and Due Process (Fifth Amendment): Federal courts have ruled that certain "mandatory detention" immigration policies, which hold people without opportunity for bond during proceedings, violate due process rights.

• Emoluments Clauses: Throughout his time in office, Trump has faced allegations of violating the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses, which prevent federal officeholders from accepting benefits or gifts from foreign or state governments

3 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Based on reports and legal analyses from 2025 and early 2026, Donald Trump's second administration has been marked by multiple, ongoing legal challenges alleging that his actions and executive orders violate the United States Constitution. [1, 2]

Legal experts, civil liberties groups, and federal courts have flagged several key areas where President Trump's actions have been deemed unconstitutional or have sparked a constitutional crisis, including: [1, 2]

Activist federal judges whose decisions are mostly overridden by SCOTUS, progressive lawyers and progressive activist civil liberty groups.

Unfortunately, in Trump's meglomania and hubris, he is now surrounded by traitors committing "virtual treason."

Robert Kagan (Victoria Nuland's husband and US neo-con)
"It’s hard to think of a time when the United States suffered a total defeat in a conflict, a setback so decisive that the strategic loss could be neither repaired nor ignored.

Defeat in the present confrontation with Iran will be of an entirely different character. It can neither be repaired nor ignored. There will be no return to the status quo ante, no ultimate American triumph that will undo or overcome the harm done. The Strait of Hormuz will not be “open,” as it once was. With control of the strait, Iran emerges as the key player in the region and one of the key players in the world. The roles of China and Russia, as Iran’s allies, are strengthened; the role of the United States, substantially diminished. Far from demonstrating American prowess, as supporters of the war have repeatedly claimed, the conflict has revealed an America that is unreliable and incapable of finishing what it started. That is going to set off a chain reaction around the world as friends and foes adjust to America’s failure.

Even if Trump were to carry out his threat to destroy Iran’s “civilization” through more bombing, Iran would still be able to launch many missiles and drones before its regime went down—assuming it did go down. Just a few successful strikes could cripple the region’s oil and gas infrastructure for years if not decades, throwing the world, and the United States, into a prolonged economic crisis. Even if Trump wanted to bomb Iran as part of an exit strategy—looking tough as a way of masking his retreat—he can’t do that without risking this catastrophe."

And then Trump pulls one out of the Bush's Iraq War Playbook:
"Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."

I guess I'm "with the terrorists Iranians" as I'm 100% against the folly of this Israeli-First adventurism that Trump has dragged the United States and the entire world's economy into. It's past time for the US to stop provoking wars across the globe and instead become an economic player and trade partner with the rest of the world - and not at the end of a gun.

Edited May 13May 13 by connda

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Activist federal judges whose decisions are mostly overridden by SCOTUS, progressive lawyers and progressive activist civil liberty groups.

Stupid is as stupid does !!!!! again a load of assumptions, SCOTUS are still debating no rulings as yet

9 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Activist federal judges whose decisions are mostly overridden by SCOTUS, progressive lawyers and progressive activist civil liberty groups.

Clearly you're a Trump supporter, how would you feel about him stopping or postponing the mid-terms?

Would you be happy for any President to derail democracy?

The man is delusional, and because of it, his aides have been keeping him OUT of the Situation Room, feeding his delusions, giving him only positive comments so he doesn't get too upset. He has no real idea of what is going on.
The man started a war without any thought to the worldwide repercussions, and is now stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no positive, viable actions available to him. All he can do is back off... but he will not. And THAT is the biggest problem the world faces right now. We all suffer so he can fuel his ego,
Americans, even Republican Americans, are quickly realizing the mistakes they made by voting him into office.

I don't know how accurate these predictions would be, but the man was right in the past...

Donny gets caught up in his own lies and hyperbole.

For actual treason, Congress must first declare war. Then someone must give material aid or intelligence to the enemy it would not otherwise have. According to Trump, the Iran thing is somewhere between an "excursion" and a "love tap". Neither qualifies as war, and certainly Congress has not declared war.

Nobody has given Iran material aid. Also, Iran is the first to know what has been done by the US and Israeli attacks, so even if the US media stated what its investigation has found, it would not be anything Iran did not already know.

Trump is upset because he is being called out on his lies. He and his SecDef have not been honest about the extent of damage the US has suffered. Analysis of satellite imaging (some from European sources) shows the true extent of damage to the US Gulf bases, and reporting that is just something the US taxpayer has every right to know. Iran already knows what damage they did, so Iran gains nothing from media reporting. The request for an additional 50% jump in the defense budget kind of suggests what damage the US has suffered as well as how much of its inventory it has gone through.

Finally, here Trump goes again, showing his hatred of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution, a document he supposedly swore to defend.

Trump may not like it, but he lives in a democracy that also has its foundation the US Constitution, which explicitly states the rights the citizenry has, and the government also has a separation of powers that make sure---if the two non-Executive branches do their job---that the US is not a monarchy.

Sorry, Donny. Deal with it.

17 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Clearly you're a Trump supporter, how would you feel about him stopping or postponing the mid-terms?

Another left talking point. The redistricting changes makes things interesting.

22 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Clearly you're a Trump supporter, how would you feel about him stopping or postponing the mid-terms?

Would you be happy for any President to derail democracy?

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Another left talking point. The redistricting changes makes things interesting.

Answer the question

47 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Got any examples of the Supreme Court proving Trump has violated the constitution other than the tariffs then this is just an example of a rhetoric driven talking point from the left.

trump tariffs ruled unconstitutional.

1 hour ago, JAG said:

If one is to play around with that definition of treason, as Trump so often does, well perhaps driving convoys of coaches and horses through the provisions of the Constitution, as Trump so often does, should also amount to "virtual treason"?

I would say that calling his goobers to DC for 6 January 2021, sending them to the Capitol knowing full well they would be violent (unless MAGAs want to argue Trump is way too dumb to know they would be violent), trying to force the SecState of Georgia to alter votes, trying to install fake electors, and stealing highly classified documents that jeopardize US national security by being in the open constitute "virtual treason".

34 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Activist federal judges whose decisions are mostly overridden by SCOTUS, progressive lawyers and progressive activist civil liberty groups.

That is not true. The SCOTUS has made very few decisions -- i.e. on tariffs -- but has mostly issued temporary restraining orders on local court decisions against Trump executive orders.

The one big case where the Supreme Court did NOT issue a restraint was the birthright executive order.

Edited May 13May 13 by JerryM

I wonder if The Great Man has seen this:

https://www.epicfurious.com/

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

The IRGC's mosquito fleet is about to take a battering. As far as a naval force these were always the real threat not the deep water fleet which has pretty much been sunk. As for the media it's obvious to all that are not sufferers and haven't been brainwashed from a decade of Democrat and MSM rhetoric that the MSM is fully biased against Trump. Of course "virtual treason" doesn't mean actual treason. This thread will now be taken over by the aforementioned sheeple and Trump haters that fully believe everything MSM spews out.

Let's use the Wayback Machine and speculate how the world would look right now...today...13 May 2026...if Trump had not tossed the JCPOA, with which Iran was in compliance 100%.

Let's see.....13 American service people would still be alive. 168 elementary schoolgirls in Minab would still be alive. Thousands of innocent Iranians and Lebanese would still be alive. The US would still have plenty of tactical missiles and defensive missiles (such as Patriots and the missiles that are part of the THAAD system). Gulf states would still be doing good business, as and oil production facilities in the Gulf would still be cranking out fossil fuels, and the local and expat populations in the Gulf would feel safe. The Strait of Hormuz would be open. A barrel of Brent crude might be $55. Gas prices at US pumps would be $2.50/gallon and not $4.50/gallon. EVERYTHING that requires transport would be cheaper. Jet A would be plentiful, with far fewer flights cancelled. Even Thailand would have more tourists and its economy would be stronger. The US might still have a few old friends.

Oh, and Iran would have maybe 300kg of 3% enriched U235.

All of the above is not what the world has today, solely because Obama lives rent free in Trump's addled brain.

You may call this "sheeple talk", but rational people not prone to cultish behavior and thinking (sic) call it "reality", perhaps harsh reality.

Edited May 13May 13 by Wingate

An emergency 'shadow docket' ruling and a Merit decision that follows an oral hearing in court are not the same thing.

Edited May 13May 13 by JerryM

One of two whom I trust to help understand the truths not in MSM.
Macgregor

Trumps a moron. All other countries wanted nothing to do with this because they could see what would happen. America sacked how many Generals to get the stage of getting a compliant military for this disaster. Fact is Iran is winning. They can’t be bombed out of existence. They have more missles and equipment than Don claimed we he first claimed victory. The biggest point that this is a disaster is how much whining Orange man does about no one cleaning up the mess for America. Iran would also be aware there are few people alive that have seen America actually win a war. The greatest military on earth have been humbled by Iran and Trump like Putin looks like a desperate loser!

To every decent human being—regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, or any other distinction,

To Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and all others of faith,

And to those who follow no formal religion but hold deeply to the universal values of peace, justice, and human dignity:

The U.S. - Israel launched this war of aggression on 28 February 2026, for a second time in less than a year, while Iran-U.S. were engaged in diplomatic negotiations.

This is not merely a war over land, resources, or geopolitics. This is a war that will determine the very meaning of 'good' and 'evil' in our time and for future.

What has been unleashed upon our peace-loving nation is not just another conflict. On one side stand those who delight in violating every law of war and basic human decency—those who murder for sport, who slaughter children to torment their families, who fire newest missiles at women’s sports halls simply to test their destructive power.

This is a war between those who boast of torpedoing unarmed vessels “for more fun,” and those who go to extraordinary lengths to protect innocent lives.

This is a war between professional liars who fabricate justifications for atrocity, and a proud people who defend their homeland and human dignity relying solely on their own strength and resolve.

This is a war between those whose decisions are shadowed by moral compromise, and those who act with a clear conscience.

This is a defining struggle for the future of humankind. It will decide whether civilization’s hard-won achievements—human rights, the rule of law, and basic morality—will survive or be swept away.

We must choose:

Do we accept a world ruled by modern slave masters—arrogant, domineering, and unaccountable—who govern through coercion, lies, and extortion?

Or do we stand for a world grounded in respect, justice, peace, and human dignity?

Humanity’s conscience is not yet dead. But in times like these, silence is complicity with evil.

If you reject the path of barbarism and domination, then find the moral courage to speak, to act, and to stand on the right side of history—before the world descends into an abyss of lawlessness and subjugation.

The choice is yours.

And history will remember.
-Iranian MFA Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei

https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2054301011146338422

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Trump haters

You realize that now many "Trump haters" are disillusioned MAGA people. There is no boundary now with people who oppose Trump ideology and morality.

This is what this snowflake imbecile should be saying.

I'm so sorry guys, but as usual I grossly overestimated our capabilities, and now I'm coming to you with my hands out, asking for assistance. I know that I didn't consult you on this war, I know I've been insulting and humiliating you guys for 14 months now and laying waste to our alliances, I know that I did not try to build a coalition, and I know that I did not ask either the Congress or the Senate for permission, and the vast majority of the American people do not agree with this war and do not approve of this war. 

We have demonized our allies, criticized them, humiliated them, insulted them, and now that we have distanced ourselves from them and made every attempt possible to destroy those valuable alliances which we spent 80 years building, we now want the same allies to help us in the Strait of Hormuz, because it's totally out of control, the US Navy won't and can't handle it, and we have completely blown this forever war on every level.

Please, pretty please, could you come and help us now? Please try to ignore the fact that we didn't consult with any of you on this war and the fact that we made no effort whatsoever to build a coalition, and please ignore all the insults we've slung in your direction for the last year or so.

We are truly the greatest nation on earth and you should be pleased to come to our aid now, after all this country is being led by the smartest, greatest, most handsome, and most visionary man in the world. I am Saint Donald. Don't you realize that?

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

The IRGC's mosquito fleet is about to take a battering. As far as a naval force these were always the real threat not the deep water fleet which has pretty much been sunk. As for the media it's obvious to all that are not sufferers and haven't been brainwashed from a decade of Democrat and MSM rhetoric that the MSM is fully biased against Trump. Of course "virtual treason" doesn't mean actual treason. This thread will now be taken over by the aforementioned sheeple and Trump haters that fully believe everything MSM spews out.

One does not need the direction of the “MSM” to quickly realize that Trump has no clue what he’s doing; one only need read his online posts, listen to his speeches and interviews, and follow his actions and obsessions, which he, himself, likes to talk about endlessly. His rapidly dwindling casts of supporters are left spouting tired and by now meaningless buzzwords (<removed>! activist judges! the biased mainstream media!) as a substitute for considering what’s actually going on. Or, for instance, posting AI images of Iranian speedboats getting blown up instead of more broadly confronting the sheer folly and brainlessness of the entire Iran debacle.

 

Brings to mind a rather charming expression having to do with relieving oneself outside in a stiff breeze.

 

So, yes, this thread will now be taken over by “sheeple” who clearly see Trump for the madman he is, because, frankly, they form a growing majority of people in the US and especially worldwide.

Say, have you gotten your gold-colored, made-in-America Trump cellphone yet?

Edited May 13May 13 by Cory1848