Trump and his allies use familiar tactic to help Iran war messaging: attacking the press - Reuters

Reuters
March 18, 2026
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3 min read

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Trump and allies are attacking press coverage as part of their Iran war messaging strategy.

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President Trump and his allies are attacking news media coverage as part of their messaging strategy around Iran policy. The tactic mirrors a longstanding playbook in which the administration targets press reporting it views as unfavorable to shape public perception on a sensitive foreign policy issue. By discrediting journalists and outlets covering Iran developments, Trump's team seeks to control the narrative around potential military escalation or diplomatic moves involving the Islamic Republic. This approach reflects a broader pattern of using media criticism to influence how Americans understand major national security decisions. The strategy raises questions about how the administration intends to manage public discourse on Iran policy in the coming weeks.

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