Elon Musk’s X sues Media Matters for analysis of anti-Semitism

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has sued a left-wing advocacy group that accused the site of allowing anti-Semitic posts alongside advertising.

X’s lawsuit alleges that Media Matters for America “manipulated” data in an effort to “destroy” the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Companies including Apple, Disney, IBM and Comcast have suspended their ads on X since the watchdog released its analysis.

After Mr. Musk threatened legal action, Media Matters called him a bully.

The advocacy group said last week that ads appeared on X alongside messages supporting Nazism, such as quotes from Hitler and Holocaust denial.

Separately, Mr. Musk himself was accused last week of amplifying an anti-Semitic trope on the platform.

The complaint, filed in Texas on Monday, claims: “Media Matters knowingly and maliciously fabricated side-by-side images depicting advertiser posts on X Corp’s social media platform alongside fringe neo-Nazi and white nationalist content, then presented these fabricated images. as if this is what typical X users experience on the platform.

“Media Matters designed these images and the resulting media strategy to drive advertisers off the platform and destroy X Corp.”

X said in the lawsuit that ads for Comcast, Oracle and IBM only appeared alongside hateful content for Media Matters, and not for any other viewers.

Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, posted on Monday: “Here’s the truth. Not a single authentic user on from Media Matters.”

Following the Media Matters allegations, the European Commission, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount and Lionsgate also withdrew advertising funds from X.

On Saturday, Mr. Musk vowed to take “thermonuclear” legal action against Media Matters and anyone “who may have colluded in this fraudulent attack on our company.”

In response, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone said he would win any legal action.

“Far from being the free speech advocate he claims to be, Musk is a tyrant who threatens baseless lawsuits in an attempt to silence information he has even confirmed is accurate,” Mr. Carusone in a press release.

Founded in 2004, Media Matters is known for its criticism of conservative commentators and media outlets.

It describes itself as a “progressive nonprofit research and information center dedicated to the comprehensive monitoring, analysis and correction of conservative misinformation in American media.”

Last Wednesday, Mr. Musk came under fire after responding to a post sharing a conspiracy theory accusing Jewish communities of promoting hatred against white people, calling it the “real truth.”

The Tesla billionaire and SpaceX entrepreneur later denied anti-Semitism, saying his comments were not referring to all Jews, but to groups like the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish anti-hate organization.

Meanwhile, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Monday that he had opened an investigation into Media Matters “for potential fraudulent activity” following its allegations regarding X.

His office issued a statement calling the liberal group a “radical anti-free speech organization.”

Mr. Paxton also pledged to ensure that “the public is not misled by the plans of radical left organizations who would like nothing more than to limit freedom by reducing participation in the public square.”

Also on Monday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden would join Meta-owned X rival Threads.

Threads accounts have also been created for the President, First Lady, Vice President and Second Gentleman.