Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-29**Lead**
The special counsel investigation led by Jack Smith into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to subvert the 2020 election has reached into the newsrooms of major media organizations, including Fox News, as prosecutors seek internal communications that may reveal coordination between Trump’s team and media figures. Subpoenas issued in recent months have demanded records of interactions between Trump campaign officials, White House staff, and journalists, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The move marks a notable expansion of the probe beyond lawmakers and political operatives, raising questions about press freedom and the boundaries of prosecutorial reach.
**Context**
Jack Smith was appointed as special counsel in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee two federal investigations involving Trump: one into the handling of classified documents and the other into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The election-related probe has focused on Trump’s pressure campaign on state officials, the fake electors scheme, and the planning of the rally that preceded the Capitol breach. Over the past year, Smith’s team has subpoenaed dozens of individuals, including former White House aides, campaign staff, and state Republican Party officials.
In recent weeks, the investigation has turned to media organizations. Fox News, the conservative cable network that was a frequent platform for Trump and his allies, received a subpoena seeking communications between its journalists and Trump’s inner circle during the post-election period. Other outlets, including Newsmax and One America News Network, have also been contacted, though the scope of those requests remains unclear. The subpoenas reportedly target emails, text messages, and internal notes that could show whether media figures coordinated with Trump’s legal team or campaign to amplify false claims of voter fraud.
The development comes as Smith’s team has already secured indictments against Trump on four counts related to election subversion, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. Trump has pleaded not guilty. The investigation continues to gather evidence, and prosecutors have signaled they are examining the role of media in spreading election misinformation.
**Analise**
The subpoenas to Fox News and other outlets represent a significant legal and ethical frontier. While prosecutors have long sought testimony from journalists in criminal cases, targeting media organizations for internal communications in a high-profile political investigation is rare. Legal experts note that the Justice Department has internal guidelines requiring special care when subpoenaing the press, including a presumption that alternative sources of evidence should be exhausted first. However, Smith’s team appears to believe that the communications between Trump’s camp and media figures are central to understanding the conspiracy.
For Fox News, the subpoena adds to a turbulent period. The network already faces a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, which resulted in a $787.5 million settlement in 2023 after evidence emerged that Fox hosts and executives knowingly aired false election fraud claims. The Smith subpoena could expose further internal discussions about how the network handled Trump’s allegations. It also raises the possibility that journalists could be compelled to testify about their sources, a prospect that has alarmed press freedom advocates.
The expansion beyond lawmakers is notable. Previously, Smith’s focus was on figures like former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, attorney John Eastman, and state officials. By now targeting media, the investigation is probing the broader ecosystem that enabled the false narrative of a stolen election. This could lead to new charges or additional defendants, though no indictments have been announced against media figures. The move also signals that Smith is leaving no stone unturned as he builds a case that Trump and his allies engaged in a multi-pronged conspiracy that included manipulating public opinion through friendly media outlets.
**Fontes**
This article is based on publicly available court filings from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, including subpoena records and motions filed by the special counsel’s office. Additional information comes from reports by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, which have confirmed the existence of subpoenas to Fox News and other media organizations. Statements from the Justice Department and Fox News’s corporate communications team have been referenced where available. No anonymous sources or unverified claims have been used.