Donald Trump’s campaign team has lodged a complaint against The Washington Post with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
They claim the newspaper made “illegal corporate in-kind contributions to Harris for President.”
The filing references a Semafor article detailing how The Post has been boosting stories critical of Trump while promoting pro-Harris content through paid advertising as subscriber numbers dwindle.
The complaint argues that these actions could be seen as The Post making, and Harris accepting, illegal contributions through coordinated communications.
“Therefore, the Commission should find reason to believe a violation has occurred, conduct an immediate investigation, and assess an appropriate sanction for this corporate interference in our elections,” the lawsuit states.
Trump’s deputy general counsel, Gary Lawkowski, highlighted these concerns in a letter sent on October 31.
He voiced suspicions that The Washington Post is actively campaigning against Trump while subtly backing Kamala Harris’s candidacy.
“There is reason to believe that the Washington Post violated the Federal Election Campaign Act and Federal Election Commission regulations by making illegal corporate in-kind contributions,” he contended. “Therefore, we call upon the Commission to immediately investigate expenditures by The Washington Post.”
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, corporations are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures related to political office elections.
“According to reports, the Post is using its advertising powers to promote pro-Kamala and anti-Trump coverage to voters in the final days of the election,” stated the Trump campaign. They accused the media of being biased, labeling it “pro-Kamala propaganda.”
The complaint asserts that The Washington Post shouldn’t hide behind the FECA’s “press” or “media” exemption, as it’s engaging in partisan electioneering activities rather than acting in its press capacity.
“According to reports, the Post is using its advertising powers to promote pro-Kamala and anti-Trump coverage to voters in the final days of the election,” Lawkowski wrote.
“The Washington Post’s public advertising efforts in coordination with the Harris campaign is ‘core electioneering activity’ and thus not protected under the media exemption,” the filing added.
