Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is initiating a probe into Media Matters for alleged “potential fraudulent activity.” This move comes in the wake of accusations by Elon Musk, CEO of X, who claimed that the left-leaning media monitoring organization engaged in data manipulation on social media.
Following the departure of numerous advertisers, including IBM, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate, and Paramount, from X (formerly Twitter), Musk vowed to pursue a substantial legal action against the watchdog group.
On Friday, Media Matters released a report alleging that X had positioned advertisements alongside hashtags associated with white nationalists. Musk, however, contends that the group distorted the actual user experience to deceive advertisers.
Missouri’s Republican Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, shared on Sunday that his legal team was examining the issue. Presently, Paxton is commencing a formal investigation through his office, expressing deep concern over the accusations.
🚨 Today I opened an investigation into Media Matters for potential fraudulent activity after X CEO Elon Musk accused the left-wing media watchdog group of manipulating data on the social media platform. https://t.co/oL1UPNXzeo
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) November 21, 2023
“We are examining the issue closely to ensure that the public has not been deceived by the schemes of radical left-wing organizations who would like nothing more than to limit freedom by reducing participation in the public square,” Paxton remarked.
The Texas Attorney General’s office stated, “Under the Texas Business Organizations Code and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the OAG will vigorously enforce against nonprofits who commit fraudulent acts in or affecting the state of Texas.”
In the previous week, Musk faced backlash following his remarks on a post on X that some critics interpreted as anti-Semitic. Subsequently, the tech billionaire has clarified that individuals posting genocidal content will face suspension from X.
However, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates criticized Musk, stating that the administration vehemently denounces the reprehensible endorsement of anti-Semitic and racist hate. This stands in direct opposition to our fundamental American values.
