US President Donald Trump has once again launched a sharp attack on major American media organisations and the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol unrest, accusing both of distorting facts and misleading the public.

Addressing Republican lawmakers at a House GOP retreat in Washington, Trump alleged that the congressional panel investigating the Capitol attack deliberately ignored statements in which he urged calm among supporters. He repeated that he had asked people to act “peacefully and patriotically,” claiming those remarks were excluded from official findings and media coverage.

Trump referred to the bipartisan House panel as an “Unselect Committee,” arguing that it failed to present a complete account of events surrounding the attack. He maintained that the investigation overlooked language he used encouraging demonstrators to walk or march peacefully to the Capitol.

The president also revived his long-standing claim that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined additional security assistance ahead of January 6. Trump asserted that Pelosi had been offered thousands of National Guard troops but rejected the proposal, a claim he said was later acknowledged privately. He criticised news outlets for not giving sufficient attention to what he described as evidence supporting his position.

Expanding his remarks beyond the investigation, Trump accused the American press of widespread bias against him. He claimed that television networks and newspapers overwhelmingly portrayed his presidency negatively, citing what he described as extremely high percentages of unfavorable coverage. According to Trump, such reporting has eroded public trust in the media.

He argued that his electoral success demonstrated that traditional media outlets no longer hold the influence they once did. Trump said voters increasingly distrust mainstream news organisations, asserting that credibility has been lost due to what he called years of unfair reporting.

Trump also mocked coverage related to his personal health and schedule, dismissing reports that questioned his energy levels or stamina. He described such stories as inaccurate and politically motivated, suggesting they were designed to undermine his leadership image.

Major newspapers were also singled out for criticism, with Trump accusing publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal of abandoning balanced journalism. He said relentless scrutiny from the press and repeated investigations had strengthened his resolve rather than weakened him politically.

Reflecting on his time in office, Trump said no modern US president had faced the level of investigations and criticism he endured. He referenced his two impeachments during his first term, both of which ended in acquittal by the Senate, as evidence of what he views as politically driven efforts to damage his presidency.

The January 6 Capitol attack and the subsequent congressional inquiry remain among the most polarising issues in American politics. Democrats argue the investigation was essential to uphold democratic accountability, while many Republicans continue to challenge its mandate, methods, and conclusions.

Media trust and the legitimacy of institutions remain central themes in Trump’s political narrative, as debates over January 6 and press credibility continue to shape the US political landscape.