(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In a significant legal development against using donations to fund leftwing attacks against conservatives, Missouri’s Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, has initiated a formal investigation into Media Matters for America, a left-leaning watchdog organization.
This move follows allegations that Media Matters exerted influence over various advertisers, leading them to withdraw their support from the social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
In a letter to Media Matters president and CEO Angelo Carusone, Bailey communicated the commencement of the probe, focusing on the organization’s purportedly deceptive tactics in soliciting donations from Missouri residents while simultaneously targeting X.
This investigation emerges in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Musk against Media Matters, accusing the group of manipulating X’s algorithm through coordinated, inauthentic behavior. This alleged manipulation was purportedly aimed at defaming X and discouraging advertisers, impeding free speech. Bailey’s letter to Carusone highlighted these serious allegations.
Media Matters had previously published reports suggesting that corporate advertisements on X were being displayed alongside extremist content, painting Musk and his platform in a negative light.
Consequently, several major corporations, including IBM, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate Entertainment, and Sony, initiated a boycott of the platform. Musk responded robustly, engaging in what he termed “thermonuclear” litigation against Media Matters.
Bailey’s letter further accused Media Matters of contravening Missouri’s consumer protection laws, specifically those prohibiting fraudulent fundraising practices by nonprofit entities. The attorney general demanded that all documentation related to the organization’s potentially illegal activities be preserved.
In a press release, Bailey expressed his belief that Media Matters may have exploited fraudulent methods to solicit donations from Missourians, intending to influence advertisers to withdraw from X. He emphasized his commitment to preventing Missourians from being defrauded and safeguarding free speech.
This is not the only instance of scrutiny against Media Matters. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also initiated an investigation into the organization last month, focusing on similar allegations of fraud.
Musk has publicly criticized the boycotting brands, openly confronting them for their actions and demanding they alter their stance on X’s free-speech policy. In a statement, Musk challenged these corporations, including a direct message to Disney CEO Bob Iger, underscoring his commitment to the principles of free speech on his platform.
