Left-wing organization Media Matters now faces a major federal investigation as the FTC examines alleged collusion with other groups to orchestrate advertiser boycotts against Elon Musk’s X platform, potentially violating antitrust laws and suppressing conservative voices.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Media Matters for allegedly coordinating advertiser boycotts against X with other media watchdog groups
- The investigation stems from Elon Musk’s 2023 lawsuit claiming Media Matters deliberately damaged X’s advertising relationships
- FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has emphasized addressing potential unlawful collusion that threatens market competition
- Media Matters President Angela Carusone has dismissed the investigation as politically motivated by the Trump administration
- The organization recently faced layoffs amid ongoing legal challenges from Musk’s lawsuit
FTC Targets Media Matters’ Alleged Boycott Coordination
The Federal Trade Commission has launched a formal investigation into Media Matters for America, examining potential antitrust violations related to advertiser boycotts against X (formerly Twitter). The investigation centers on allegations that the left-wing media watchdog organization coordinated with other groups to orchestrate boycotts against the Elon Musk-owned platform, potentially violating federal competition laws. This inquiry follows Musk’s 2023 lawsuit against Media Matters, which accused the organization of deliberately manipulating content to damage X’s relationships with major advertisers According to FTC
According to documents revealed by Breitbart News, the FTC has issued a civil investigative demand requiring Media Matters to produce extensive documentation of its communications with other organizations. The federal agency is particularly interested in interactions with Democrat-aligned groups including the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which has significant influence over corporate advertising decisions. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has made it clear that the commission is committed to addressing potentially unlawful collusion in the marketplace that threatens competition and free speech.
Media Matters Faces Internal Struggles Amid Investigation
Media Matters finds itself fighting on multiple fronts as the FTC investigation unfolds. The organization has already been forced to implement layoffs in May 2025 due to financial pressures from ongoing legal battles with Musk. These internal challenges come at a particularly difficult time as the organization now faces scrutiny from federal regulators with broad investigative powers. Media Matters President Angela Carusone has attempted to dismiss the investigation as politically motivated, calling it a “threat” orchestrated by the Trump administration to silence critics Stated Jody Godoy
The organization has a well-documented history of targeting conservative media outlets and personalities. In 2010, Media Matters successfully pressured ABC News to drop Andrew Breitbart from its election coverage, demonstrating its longstanding strategy of influencing media organizations through pressure campaigns. The current investigation may reveal whether these tactics extended to coordinated efforts with other organizations that could violate antitrust protections designed to ensure fair competition in the marketplace.
Conservative Support for Antitrust Investigation
Conservative voices have rallied behind the FTC’s investigation, viewing it as a necessary step to protect free speech online. Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, has expressed strong support for the probe, suggesting that Media Matters and similar organizations may have broken antitrust laws through their coordinated actions against platforms like X. The investigation represents a significant shift in regulatory focus under President Trump’s administration, with increased attention to potential collusion among left-leaning organizations that could restrict conservative voices in digital spaces Stated President Trump
The FTC’s demand for documents extends to Media Matters’ communications about X and its advertisers dating back to January 2022, covering the entire period of Musk’s ownership of the platform. This comprehensive approach indicates the seriousness with which federal regulators are approaching the allegations of coordinated boycotts. If substantiated, these findings could have far-reaching implications for how media watchdog organizations operate and interact with advertisers and platforms in the future.
