Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports
President Donald Trump disputes claims of low US stockpiles amid the Iran war, asserting production is at unprecedented levels.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made
![US President Donald Trump attends an event with Republican lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Washington, DC, the United States [Alex Brandon/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ap_6a999e01888bb-1788452353.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440)
US President Donald Trump attends an event with Republican lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Washington, DC, the United States [Alex Brandon/AP]
Photograph: Al Jazeera (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling media outlets 'treasonous scum' for reporting low US munitions stockpiles during the Iran war.
- Trump claimed US munitions production is at 'levels never seen before' and stockpiles are 'far more than we could ever use'.
- The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported in July that US Patriot missile interceptors were down to just over a third of their original stock, and THAAD interceptors were at about half.
- Experts warn that replenishing key weapons could take at least two years, even with new defence contracts.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 30 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 46 of the 76 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
65/100
Craft
55/100
Hype
55/100
76 sources · methodology
Missing from the left
Only 7 of the 30 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated left.
A reader who follows the left would not have seen this. We report the absence rather than explain it: outlets choose what to cover for many reasons, and we have no evidence about which one applies here.
President Donald Trump has publicly disputed reports suggesting that US munitions stockpiles are dangerously low due to the ongoing war with Iran. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that the US military is producing munitions at "levels never seen before" and that stockpiles are "far more than we could ever use."
Trump also directed strong criticism at media outlets reporting on these alleged shortages, labelling them "treasonous scum" for what he described as their failure to "accurately report" on the conflict. This is not the first time Trump has reacted strongly to reports of munitions shortages; in August, he made similar comments after The Washington Post reported his frustration with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over supply issues.
Conflicting accounts of US munitions levels
While Trump asserts that US munitions are plentiful, experts have raised concerns about the depletion of key weapon systems. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported in July that US Patriot missile interceptors had fallen to just over a third of their original stock, with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors at approximately half their original levels. Despite new defence contracts aimed at accelerating production, experts have cautioned that replenishing these critical weapons could take at least two years.
What the coverage left out
None of the right-rated digests mention the specific figures provided by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) regarding the depletion of US Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors. Similarly, none of the right-rated digests include the expert warning that replenishing key weapons could take at least two years.
Coverage settled. We checked this 11 times and stopped on 9 Sept 2026, 01:00. The figures above are what it finished at.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
7 rated outlets
- Four left-rated reports led on Donald Trump's strong reaction to media coverage of US munitions stockpiles. Al Jazeera, in its full report, highlighted Trump's labelling of media as 'treasonous scum' and his claims of unprecedented production levels. It also noted his previous threats against leakers and mentioned press freedom groups' concerns about his actions against critical media. Raw Story focused on Trump's 'raving' insults amid warnings of weakening US firepower. In.gr and Cumhuriyet also reported Trump's denial of depleted stocks and his assertion that the US is 'keeping them for ourselves' or has 'almost unlimited quantities'.
Centre
6 rated outlets
- The centre-rated outlets reported that Donald Trump rejected claims of a US ammunition shortage. These reports stated Trump insisted US forces hold "virtually unlimited" ammunition and are producing it at record levels.
- The digests noted Trump posted on social media, calling critics and media outlets "treasonous scum". He suggested these outlets wanted to see the US lose the war with Iran.
- The Hill reported that the Defense Department is signing deals to increase missile production. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the specific cost of these deals.
Right
17 rated outlets
- Eleven right-rated reports highlighted Donald Trump's rejection of claims about dwindling US munitions stockpiles and his use of strong language against the media. U-S-NEWS.COM and American Faith reported Trump's assertion of 'virtually unlimited amounts' of ammunition. Yournews.com and The Free Press (Tampa) noted Trump's rejection of shortage reports and his claims of ample stockpiles and record production. La Razón and Interfax.ru quoted Trump stating 'We Have Unlimited Ammunition, More than We Could Use in Any war.' Anadolu Ajansı reported Trump calling shortage reports 'treasonous'. Washington Examiner stated Trump shut down munitions shortage claims. BT reported Trump raging, stating 'They Are Traitors.' News-pravda.com included a quote from Trump about 'treasonous SCUM' and 'virtually unlimited amounts' of ammunition. Zero Hedge also focused on Trump's rage against 'treasonous scum' in the media.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports?
- Of the 30 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 23% are rated left, 20% are rated centre, 57% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 76. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 30 rated outlets on this story, 23% are rated left, 20% are rated centre, 57% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports biased?
- Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports is one event reported by 76 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated left had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Trump calls media 'treasonous scum' over munitions reports?
- 76 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What did Donald Trump say about US munitions stockpiles?
- Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that US munitions production is at 'levels never seen before' and that stockpiles are 'far more than we could ever use'. He also called media outlets reporting on shortages 'treasonous scum'.
- What do experts say about US munitions levels?
- Experts, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), have reported that US Patriot missile interceptors are down to just over a third of their original stock, and THAAD interceptors are at about half. They warn that replenishing key weapons could take at least two years.
- Why did Donald Trump call the media 'treasonous scum'?
- Donald Trump used this term in response to media reports that suggested US munitions stockpiles were dangerously low due to the ongoing war with Iran. He accused these outlets of failing to report accurately on the conflict.
Read it at the source
76 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
7- Trump claims US has ‘unlimited’ munitions and slams media for reporting low stockpile (opens The Independent (US) in a new tab)
The Independent (US) — is The Independent (US) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump claims US has ‘unlimited’ munitions and slams media for reporting low stockpile (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump calls media ‘treasonous scum’ over reports of low Iran war munitions (opens Al Jazeera in a new tab)
Al Jazeera — is Al Jazeera biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Denies US Ammunition Stockpiles Are Running Low - "We're Keeping Them for Ourselves" (opens in.gr in a new tab)
- Trump raves at 'treasonous SCUM' as military warns of weakening U.S. firepower (opens Raw Story in a new tab)
- Trump Makes Statement on Ammunition: 'There Are Almost Unlimited Quantities' (opens Cumhuriyet in a new tab)
Cumhuriyet — is Cumhuriyet biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'Treasonous SCUM!': Trump Is Totally Losing His Sh*t Over Criticism Of His Iran War (opens Crooks and Liars in a new tab)
Crooks and Liars — is Crooks and Liars biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
Centre
6- Trump claims US has ‘virtually unlimited’ ammunition for Iran war, slams ‘treasonous’ critics (opens Live Mint in a new tab)
- Trump denies U.S. ammunition shortage, rages against ‘treasonous SCUM’ on social media (opens Penn Live in a new tab)
- ‘Treasonous, wrong': Trump hits back at reports of depleting US army munition stockpile amid Iran war (opens Hindustan Times in a new tab)
Hindustan Times — is Hindustan Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump calls reports of depleted US munitions 'treasonous' amid Iran war (opens TRT World in a new tab)
- Trump defends handling of US munitions amid Iran conflict (opens The Hill in a new tab)
- Trump insists US munitions stocks ample as Iran war drags on (opens bne IntelliNews in a new tab)
bne IntelliNews — is bne IntelliNews biased? Our profile of this outlet
Right
17- ‘Treasonous media and people’: Trump slams critics over US ammunition shortage claims amid Iran war (opens Times of India in a new tab)
Times of India — is Times of India biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Donald Trump Refuses to Accept Claims the US Has a Shortage of Ammunition for the Iran War: Traitors Are Trash (opens Tribunnews.com in a new tab)
Tribunnews.com — is Tribunnews.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump denies claims of Iran munitions shortage crisis (opens Santa Clarita Valley Signal in a new tab)
Santa Clarita Valley Signal — is Santa Clarita Valley Signal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Guarantees "Almost Unlimited" Ammunition for War with Iran and Accuses Critics of "Treason" (opens Observador in a new tab)
Observador — is Observador biased? Our profile of this outlet
- NEWS HEADLINES: ‘We have virtually unlimited amounts’: Trump slams ‘treasonous’ reporting of dwindling U.S. munitions – One America News Network (opens U-S-NEWS.COM in a new tab)
U-S-NEWS.COM — is U-S-NEWS.COM biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Rejects Reports of U.S. Munitions Shortages, Says Stockpiles Are ‘Virtually Unlimited’ (opens [your]NEWS in a new tab)
[your]NEWS — is [your]NEWS biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Denies Reports of Depleting Munitions (opens American Faith in a new tab)
American Faith — is American Faith biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump calls US ammunition shortage reports ‘treasonous’ amid Iran war (opens anews.com.tr in a new tab)
anews.com.tr — is anews.com.tr biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 9 more
- Trump Fires Back At Critics Over Iran War Supplies, Boasts 'Unlimited' Munition Stockpiles - Tampa Free Press (opens The Free Press (Tampa) in a new tab)
The Free Press (Tampa) — is The Free Press (Tampa) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- "We Have Unlimited Ammunition, More than We Could Use in Any war." (opens La Razón in a new tab)
La Razón — is La Razón biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump calls US ammunition shortage reports ‘treasonous’ amid Iran war (opens Anadolu Ajansı in a new tab)
Anadolu Ajansı — is Anadolu Ajansı biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump shuts down munitions shortage claims (opens Washington Examiner in a new tab)
Washington Examiner — is Washington Examiner biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Donald Trump Rages: 'They Are Traitors' (opens BT in a new tab)
- Trump Claimed that the US Had Much More Ammunition than It Needed Against Iran. (opens Interfax.ru in a new tab)
Interfax.ru — is Interfax.ru biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump:. For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any.. (opens news-pravda.com in a new tab)
news-pravda.com — is news-pravda.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump Rages Against 'Treasonous Scum' In Media For Iran War Coverage (opens Zero Hedge in a new tab)
Zero Hedge — is Zero Hedge biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 'We have virtually unlimited amounts': Trump slams 'treasonous' reporting of dwindling U.S. munitions (opens OAN in a new tab)
Not rated
46- Trump Labels Critics of US Ammunition Supplies 'Traitors' (opens Utusan Online in a new tab)
Utusan Online — is Utusan Online biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Calls US Ammunition Stockpile Low Information Leaked, Calling It a Betrayal (opens wartaekonomi.co.id in a new tab)
wartaekonomi.co.id — is wartaekonomi.co.id biased? Our profile of this outlet
- The US Is Running Out of Ammunition – How Can It Replenish Its Stockpiles? (opens Capital.gr in a new tab)
Capital.gr — is Capital.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Furious at US Reports of Ammunition Shortage Amid Iran War: 'Treasonous Trash!' (opens SINDOnews.com in a new tab)
SINDOnews.com — is SINDOnews.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- How the US Destruction of the INF Treaty Backfired (opens military-stuff.org in a new tab)
military-stuff.org — is military-stuff.org biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Tramp: America Has Much More Ammunition than It Needs -- the Stock Exchange. (opens alborsaanews.com in a new tab)
alborsaanews.com — is alborsaanews.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump Says He Has Unlimited Munitions for War and Denies Sale to Allies (opens Noticias ao Minuto in a new tab)
Noticias ao Minuto — is Noticias ao Minuto biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Fires Back at Munitions Shortage Reports, Says U.S. Has ‘Virtually Unlimited’ Ammunition (opens matzav.com in a new tab)
matzav.com — is matzav.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 38 more
- Trump Called Critics Traitors: We Have More Ammunition than We Can Use (opens 6yka.com in a new tab)
- Trump: Leaks About Running Out of Ammunition in War with Iran Are "Treasonous" (opens NewsBomb in a new tab)
- Going on the Offensive: Trump Called the Media "Traitorous Scum" (opens וואלה! in a new tab)
וואלה!
- Reports of Weapons Stockpiles Have Enraged Donald Trump. "Treacherous Scum" (opens Business Insider (Poland) in a new tab)
Business Insider (Poland) — is Business Insider (Poland) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump / Europe Should Pay for the Weapons It Gave to Kiev - US Ammunition Is Not Running Out (opens avgi.gr in a new tab)
avgi.gr — is avgi.gr biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump defends handling of US munitions amid Iran conflict (opens The Frontier Post in a new tab)
The Frontier Post — is The Frontier Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Reacts Harshly to Ammunition Controversy: "He Is a Traitor to the Homeland" - Dünya Newspaper (opens dunya.com in a new tab)
- Trump Denies US Ammunition Stockpiles Are Running Low (opens lesvosnews.net in a new tab)
lesvosnews.net — is lesvosnews.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump's New Threat to Iran: We Have Unlimited Ammunition. (opens BoldMedya in a new tab)
- Trump Claims to Have Unlimited Ammunition for the War with Iran and Refuses to Sell to Allies (opens yucatan.com.mx in a new tab)
yucatan.com.mx — is yucatan.com.mx biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Donald Trump Claims to Have Unlimited Ammunition for the War with Iran and Refuses to Sell to Allies (opens El Comercio in a new tab)
El Comercio — is El Comercio biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump: We Have Enough Ammunition to Use Against Iran (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- Donald Trump Claims to Have Unlimited Ammunition for the War with Iran and Refuses to Sell to Allies (opens RPP in a new tab)
- News of Ammunition Shortages Infuriated Trump! 'These Are Traitors!' (opens Aydınlık in a new tab)
- D. Trump: We Have Unlimited Ammunition, the Media Is Committing Treason (opens RadioMaryja.pl in a new tab)
RadioMaryja.pl — is RadioMaryja.pl biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump Denies US Ammunition Stockpiles Are Running Low (opens Tribune.gr in a new tab)
Tribune.gr — is Tribune.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Donald Trump Denies Ammunition Stockpile Reports, Accuses Media of Treason (opens Rzeczpospolita in a new tab)
Rzeczpospolita — is Rzeczpospolita biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump: US Has Unlimited Ammunition Reserves (opens BAKU.WS in a new tab)
- Iran's Vice President Threatens US With "Multi-Layered" Response; Kac: We Will Return Tehran "to the Stone Age" (opens Naslovi.net in a new tab)
Naslovi.net — is Naslovi.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- US: President Trump Denies that Ammunition Stocks Are Running Low (opens sofokleousin.gr in a new tab)
sofokleousin.gr — is sofokleousin.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Rages Against 'Treasonous Scum' In Media For Iran War Coverage (opens BizToc in a new tab)
- Ammunition Allegations Angered Trump: ‘Treacherous Scoundrels, We Have Enough stock.’ (opens elipshaber.com in a new tab)
elipshaber.com — is elipshaber.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump Threatens Iran: We Have Unlimited Ammunition. (opens Karar Gazetesi in a new tab)
Karar Gazetesi — is Karar Gazetesi biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump: US Ammunition Stocks Are Not Running Out (opens Business Daily in a new tab)
Business Daily — is Business Daily biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Trump: US Has Almost Unlimited Supplies of Ammunition for Operation in Iran - Croatian Media Service - Now I Know More! (opens Hrvatski Medijski Servis in a new tab)
Hrvatski Medijski Servis — is Hrvatski Medijski Servis biased? Our profile of this outlet
- HAVE UNLIMITED QUANTITIES Trump: Those Who Claim We Don't Have Ammunition Are Actually Traitors “LET AMERICA LOSE, JUST LET HIM NOT WIN” (opens dnevnik.rs in a new tab)
dnevnik.rs — is dnevnik.rs biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump Attacked Biden over Ukraine (opens Avaz.ba in a new tab)
- Trump Makes a Last-Minute Statement! He Declared Him a Traitor! A Lightning-Fast Response to the Bombshell Allegation. (opens Haber7 in a new tab)
- Trump: US Has Enough Ammunition for War Against Iran (opens fararu.com in a new tab)
fararu.com — is fararu.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- TRUMP REJECTED THE FIRE: Those Who Claim that We Don't Have Ammunition Are Actually (opens kurir.rs in a new tab)
kurir.rs — is kurir.rs biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Trump: US Has Unlimited Ammunition Reserves (opens Banker.az in a new tab)
- Trump Claims US Has Vast Ammunition Stockpiles Blames Biden for Aid to Ukraine (opens LB.ua in a new tab)
- Trump Denied the "Stockpiling" Claims: "We Have Enough ammunition." (opens Akşam in a new tab)
- Trump: Biden Gave Kiev More Ammunition than Was Used in the Iran War (opens atvbl.rs in a new tab)
- Trump Described His Opponents as "Traitorous Scum"! (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- Trump: We Have Unlimited Ammunition for Iran. (opens Haberler in a new tab)
- Trump Clarifies: "We Have Enough Ammunition to Continue the War on Iran" (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- Trump: We Are Producing Munitions at an Unprecedented Level. (opens IMLebanon in a new tab)
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