United States President Donald Trump has threatened to jail a journalist who reported on the rescue of a U.S. airman in Iran, escalating tensions between his administration and the media.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he would demand that the reporter reveal their source, arguing that the leak put a sensitive military operation at risk.
He warned that failure to comply could lead to jail time.
“We’re going to go to the media company that released it and say, ‘National security give it up or go to jail,’” he said.
The controversy stems from reports that emerged after a U.S. fighter jet was shot down over Iran.
Media outlets revealed that one of the two airmen onboard had been successfully rescued, while efforts were still underway to recover the second.
Trump claimed the early disclosure could have endangered the ongoing mission, although both airmen were eventually recovered safely.
It remains unclear which specific journalist or outlet the president was referring to, as several organisations including major U.S. media reported the rescue around the same time.
The remarks mark a sharper tone in the administration’s ongoing criticism of media coverage of the war involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly accused the press of portraying the conflict in a negative light.
The issue has also drawn attention to broader concerns about press freedom. U.S. law generally protects journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources, especially in matters involving public interest.
Meanwhile, comments from Brendan Carr have added to the pressure on media organisations.
He recently warned broadcasters against airing what he described as “fake news,” suggesting they should reconsider their approach ahead of license renewals.
The latest developments highlight the growing friction between national security concerns and the role of the media during wartime reporting
