A federal judge blocked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from investigating Media Matters for America, the liberal watchdog group that has criticized the spread of hate speech on X since Elon Musk purchased the platform.
Why It Matters
Media Matters has been a headache for Musk since he first bought X, formerly Twitter, in 2022. The progressive group has published a number of articles detailing the spread of hate speech on Musk’s social media platform, prompting the Tesla CEO to call Media Matters an “evil propaganda machine.”
What To Know
U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued an injunction against the FTC on Friday, ruling that its probe, “purportedly to investigate an advertiser boycott concerning social media platforms,” amounted to a violation of Media Matters’ free speech rights.
“It should alarm all Americans when the government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate,” Sooknanan wrote.
The FTC issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to Media Matters in May seeking documents about possible coordination between the organization and other media watchdogs that Musk accused of working to orchestrate advertiser boycotts of X, Reuters reported.
In making its demand, the FTC wanted to determine whether the alleged coordination between Media Matters and other watchdogs amounted to illegal collusion or anticompetitive behavior, which would violate antitrust laws.
Media Matters responded to the FTC’s notice by suing the agency and accusing it of engaging in retaliatory behavior that was intended to punish the liberal watchdog group for reporting critically on Musk and his management of X.
The FTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.
Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Associated Press
Media Matters is already defending itself against a lawsuit Musk filed after the group reported in November 2023 that antisemitic and other offensive posts were appearing alongside ads on X.
In granting the injunction, Sooknanan said Media Matters is likely to succeed in its claim that the FTC’s actions are retaliation for an article critical of a Trump supporter.
Though Musk’s relationship with Trump has devolved in recent months, he was a longtime backer of the president and spent nearly $300 million to boost Trump and the Republican Party in the 2024 election. Musk also served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the first several months of Trump’s second term.
What People Are Saying
Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters, said in a statement: “The court’s ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration.”
He added: “This case is not just about the campaign to punish and silence Media Matters, however. It is a critical test for whether the courts will allow any administration — from any political party — to bully media and non-profit organizations through illegal abuses of power.”
Sooknanan wrote in her ruling, issuing an injunction: “Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim, which is all it needs at this stage.”
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 8/18/25, 6:00 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and context.