Overview

• Media Matters filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington on June 23 seeking an injunction to stop the FTC’s investigation into alleged collusion with advertisers to boycott X.
• The FTC opened its probe in May after Media Matters’ November 2023 report revealed ads on X placed next to antisemitic and pro-Nazi posts.
• The complaint accuses FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Trump administration allies of using the agency to punish the group for its criticism of Elon Musk’s ownership of X.
• Media Matters contends that the FTC’s demands for internal communications have chilled its ability to publish reporting on the platform and its extremist content.
• The lawsuit requests a court declaration that the investigation breaches its First and Fourth Amendment rights and a permanent injunction against related FTC actions.