Donald Trump doesn't just want ABC to retract a story. He wants their cash.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the former president and current Republican front-runner threatened to sue ABC News over its reporting on the White House Reflecting Pool, telling the network's parent company Disney, 'I like their money.'
'They're going to have to pay me a lot of money for what they did,' Trump said. 'I like their money. They've got a lot of it. And they're going to pay.'
The threat comes as the network faces two separate investigations from the Federal Communications Commission — probes Trump has openly encouraged. The FCC confirmed last week it is looking into complaints that ABC violated the agency's 'news distortion' policy and failed to disclose sponsored content in its Reflecting Pool segment.
A Familiar Playbook
Trump's attack on ABC follows a well-worn strategy: sue the media, silence critics, and turn legal threats into campaign rallying cries. He's done it before — against The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN — but ABC is now in the crosshairs.
The Reflecting Pool report, which aired in May, examined Trump's decision to close the iconic pool to the public for a private event. The segment included interviews with critics who called the move 'petty' and 'a misuse of taxpayer funds.' ABC stood by the story, but Trump's legal team argues the report was 'defamatory and intentionally misleading.'
'They can't just make up lies about me and expect no consequences. I'm going to hold them accountable.'
Legal experts are skeptical. 'Threatening a lawsuit is one thing. Winning one is another,' said First Amendment attorney Lee Levine. 'Defamation requires proving actual malice — that they knew it was false or recklessly disregarded the truth. That's a high bar, especially for a news organization.'
The FCC Factor
Trump's FCC allies may prove more effective. The commission's investigations — one into 'news distortion' and another into 'payola' — could result in fines or license challenges for ABC-owned stations. While the FCC rarely revokes licenses, the threat alone pressures networks to tread carefully.
'The FCC is being weaponized,' said media watchdog Jeff Cohen. 'This is about chilling coverage, not about correcting errors. Trump wants journalists to think twice before running negative stories.'
ABC declined to comment on the pending investigations but issued a statement defending its reporting: 'Our story was fair, accurate, and in the public interest. We will vigorously defend our journalism.'
Money Talks
Trump's 'I like their money' quip reveals a deeper motivation. He's not just seeking retraction; he's seeking a payout. 'This is Trump the businessman,' said political strategist Sarah Longwell. 'He sees lawsuits as profit centers. It doesn't matter if he wins or settles — he gets headlines and, potentially, a check.'
His legal team has filed similar suits against other media outlets, including a $500 million claim against CNN in 2020, which was dismissed. But the lawsuits serve a dual purpose: fundraising. Trump's campaign has sent out emails citing the ABC 'defamation' as proof of media bias, asking supporters for donations to 'fight back.'
The Reflecting Pool story has become a symbol of Trump's grievance against the press. 'They're all out to get me,' he told the crowd at a rally in Wisconsin. 'But I fight back. I use their own money against them.'
What's Next
ABC News has retained outside counsel and is preparing a legal defense. The FCC investigations could drag on for months, with no guarantee of penalties. Meanwhile, Trump's campaign is already using the threat of a lawsuit to energize his base.
For the media, the message is clear: Cover Trump at your own risk. And if you get it wrong — or even if you don't — you might just end up in court.
The Reflecting Pool may be calm. But the waters around ABC are anything but.
