A federal judge has halted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from pursuing an investigation into Media Matters for America, the progressive watchdog group that has repeatedly criticized the rise of hate speech on X since Elon Musk took over the platform.
Why It Matters
Media Matters has been a persistent critic of Musk’s ownership of X, formerly Twitter. The group has published reports highlighting the spread of hate speech, prompting Musk to label it an “evil propaganda machine.”
What Happened
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued an injunction against the FTC, ruling that its probe—framed as an inquiry into advertiser boycotts on social media—violated Media Matters’ First Amendment 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 had issued a civil investigative demand (CID) in May, seeking documents about possible coordination between Media Matters and other watchdog groups. Musk has accused them of working together to push advertisers away from X, and the FTC aimed to determine whether such collaboration could amount to antitrust violations.
Media Matters responded by suing the FTC, arguing that the agency’s actions were politically motivated retaliation for its reporting on Musk. The FTC has not commented publicly, according to the Associated Press.
The watchdog group is already entangled in another legal fight: Musk sued Media Matters last year after it reported that antisemitic and offensive posts were running next to ads on X.
In her decision, Sooknanan suggested that Media Matters is likely to succeed in its argument that the FTC’s actions were retaliatory, noting that the case stems from criticism of a Trump supporter.
Although Musk’s relationship with President Trump has soured recently, the billionaire had long been a political ally. He reportedly spent nearly $300 million supporting Trump and the Republican Party during the 2024 election and briefly served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trump’s second term.
Reactions
Media Matters president Angelo Carusone praised the ruling, saying:
“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. This case is not just about the campaign to punish and silence Media Matters. It is a critical test for whether the courts will allow any administration—of any party—to bully media and non-profit organizations through illegal abuses of power.”
Judge Sooknanan concluded in her injunction: “Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim, which is all it needs at this stage.”
