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The Federal Trade Commission has officially launched an investigation into Media Matters for America over allegations that the group illegally colluded with advertisers to harm Elon Musk’s social media platform, X.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Media Matters for America is a progressive nonprofit media organization founded in 2004 by David Brock, a former conservative journalist who shifted his allegiance to the Democratic Party and became a prominent supporter. He says the organization was created with the mission of monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative “misinformation” in the US media landscape, and it quickly became a key player in left-leaning political advocacy and opposition research. The group is closely affiliated with Democratic donors and liberal political networks, having raised tens of millions of dollars to support its operations and those of aligned organizations. Critics—particularly from the right—have accused Media Matters of engaging in partisan attacks, misrepresenting context, and operating as a political weapon rather than an objective media monitor.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into Media Matters for America, seeking to determine whether the progressive media watchdog illegally colluded with advertisers to harm X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. The inquiry centers on whether Media Matters coordinated with advertising entities to pressure brands into pulling ads from X following the organization’s 2023 report that showed ads appearing next to antisemitic and extremist content. According to multiple reports, the FTC sent a civil investigative demand letter to Media Matters on May 20, requesting extensive documentation, including the group’s internal budgets, communications with advertisers, and any records related to its interactions with other watchdog groups like the Global Alliance for Responsible Media and the World Federation of Advertisers.
The FTC’s letter, reviewed by The New York Times and CNN, cites Section 20 of the FTC Act and states that the investigation aims to determine whether Media Matters engaged in any conduct or proposed actions that may violate federal trade laws. Among the materials demanded are any communications related to “brand safety” and “disinformation,” as well as all records Media Matters has exchanged with X or received during its ongoing litigation with the platform.
Media Matters has condemned the investigation, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent. President Angelo Carusone said in a statement, “Right-wing media figures holding key posts and abusing government power to target critics are two hallmarks of the Trump administration. It’s clear that’s exactly what’s happening here, given Media Matters’ history of holding those same figures to account. These threats won’t work; we remain steadfast to our mission.”
