Elon Musk sues media watchdog over report on X’s ‘pro-Nazi content’
The platform has witnessed an exodus of major advertisers after Media Matters published a report saying they were running beside content supporting Nazism
Elon Musk’s social media platform form X has launched a lawsuit against media watchdog Media Matters, after it reported that adverts on the site had been placed alongside content promoting Nazis.
Media Matters revealed the claims in a report last week.
In a lawsuit filed on Monday, X accuses Media Matters of manipulating the site’s algorithm to “drive advertisers from the platform and destroy X Corp”.
A number of major companies including IBM, Apple and Disney had suspended their adverts from X after Media Matters released its findings.
Musk, who bought X (then Twitter) in October had threatened a “thermonuclear lawsuit” against Media Matters at the weekend, prompting the watchdog to call him “a bully”.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has now announced an investigation into Media Matters for “potential fraudulent activity”.
Paxton said his office would investigate allegations that Media Matters — which he referred to as a “radical anti-free speech organization” — had violated Texas laws protecting consumers from fraud.
Paxton said in a statement Monday evening: “We are examining the issue closely to ensure that the public has not been deceived by the schemes of radical left-wing organisations who would like nothing more than to limit freedom by reducing participation in the public square.”
The advertiser exodus comes amid controversy over Musk’s endorsement last week of a virulently antisemitic post, which accused the “Jewish community” of pushing “dialectical hatred” against white people. Musk agreed with the post, stating: “You have said the actual truth.”
His comment prompted an outbreak of criticism, including from the White House, which condemned his “abhorrent promotion of anti-Semitic and racist hate”.
In a post on Monday, X chief executive Linda Yaccarino said: “Here’s the truth. Not a single authentic user on X saw IBM’s, Comcast’s, or Oracle’s ads next to the content in Media Matters’ article. Only 2 users saw Apple’s ad next to the content, at least one of which was Media Matters. Data wins over manipulation or allegations. Don’t be manipulated. Stand with X.”
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