‘Let facts be submitted to a candid world’: Thoughts on journalism, fact-checking and the US at 250
PolitiFact – Rulings and Stories — 2026-07-01 08:23:00 — www.politifact.com
Donald Trump’s Use of “Fake News” and His Attacks on Journalism: A Fact-Check
In the years following the 2016 presidential election, the term “fake news” became a defining feature of American political discourse. While the phrase originally described fabricated internet news sites that spread false headlines and misinformation, by 2017, President Donald Trump had appropriated the term to attack legitimate news organizations, including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
Trump’s strategy was clear: he used “fake news” not to describe actual hoaxes, but to disparage credible reporting that he found unfavorable. This rhetorical shift had significant consequences for public trust in journalism and the ability of citizens to distinguish between fact and fiction in the media landscape.
The excerpt highlights a pivotal moment in January 2017, when BuzzFeed News published the full, unverified dossier alleging ties between Russia and the incoming president. This event marked the first time Trump used “fake news” in a tweet, launching a pattern of dismissing critical or investigative reporting as false, regardless of its factual basis.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
PolitiFact and other fact-checking organizations repeatedly scrutinized Trump’s statements, finding that his use of “fake news” was often aimed at well-sourced journalism rather than actual misinformation. Trump’s attacks on the press were not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign to undermine the credibility of the media and deflect scrutiny from his administration.
The excerpt makes clear that Trump’s co-opting of “fake news” contributed to a climate where facts were increasingly contested, and the distinction between truth and falsehood became blurred for many Americans. This development stands in stark contrast to the foundational democratic principle, articulated in the Declaration of Independence, that facts should be “submitted to a candid world.”
Conclusion: The Stakes for Democracy
Trump’s repeated false claims about the media and his labeling of reputable journalism as “fake news” have had a corrosive effect on public discourse. As the excerpt notes, the health of American democracy depends on a shared commitment to facts, transparency, and accountability. Trump’s record of distorting the truth and attacking the press represents a direct challenge to these values, making the work of fact-checkers and ethical journalists more vital than ever.
Source: https://www.politifact.com/article/2026/jul/01/let-facts-be-submitted-to-a-candid-world-thoughts/