Elon Musk threatened on Saturday to sue media watchdog Media Matters and those who attacked his social media platform X, following moves by several large U.S. companies to halt advertising on the site after being promoted alongside antisemitic content.
Quick Read
- Musk’s Threat to Sue Media Matters: Elon Musk announced plans to sue Media Matters and others criticizing his social media platform X, following the withdrawal of major U.S. companies’ advertisements due to their association with antisemitic content on the platform.
- Antisemitic and Racist Content on X: Since Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022, the platform has seen a significant increase in antisemitic and racist content.
- Advertisement Placement Issue: Media Matters for America reported that ads from major companies like IBM and Apple were appearing alongside content promoting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party on X.
- Musk’s Controversial Endorsement: Musk faced backlash for endorsing an antisemitic post on X, which falsely accused the Jewish community of promoting hatred against white people. This action drew criticism from various quarters, including the White House.
- Musk’s Response: Musk declared his intention to file a “thermonuclear lawsuit” against Media Matters and collaborators for what he claims is a fraudulent attack on X, though he did not specify other parties involved.
- Advertising Withdrawals: Several companies, including IBM, Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast, Lions Gate Entertainment, and Paramount Global, have suspended their advertisements on X. Apple is also reported to be considering the same action.
- Musk’s Accusations Against Media Matters: Musk accused Media Matters of misrepresenting the user experience on X and misleading advertisers by allegedly creating alternative accounts to spread misinformation.
- Previous Legal Threats by Musk: Musk previously threatened legal action against the Anti-Defamation League for its supposed role in X’s loss of advertising revenue, though no lawsuit has been filed yet.
- Advertiser Exodus and Rise in Hate Speech: Since Musk’s purchase of X and the subsequent reduction in content moderation, there has been a notable increase in hate speech on the platform, leading to advertisers withdrawing their support.
- White House Condemnation: The White House condemned Musk’s endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory, accusing him of promoting hate and contravening American values.
- Musk’s Other Legal Challenges: Musk, also the CEO of Tesla, is facing several lawsuits alleging racial and sexual harassment within his company.
- Rise in Antisemitism: The Anti-Defamation League reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., particularly following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Associated Press has the story:
Elon Musk, under fire, threatens lawsuit against media watchdog
Newslooks- (AP)
Elon Musk threatened on Saturday to sue media watchdog Media Matters and those who attacked his social media platform X, following moves by several large U.S. companies to halt advertising on the site after being promoted alongside antisemitic content.
Musk and X have been under a microscope all week for antisemitic and racist content that has proliferated on the site since he purchased it in 2022.
Liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America said earlier this week that it found ads from IBM, Apple and others were placed alongside content promoting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Musk on Wednesday endorsed an antisemitic post on X that falsely claimed members of the Jewish community were stoking hatred against white people, drawing sharp condemnation, including from the White House.
“The split second court opens on Monday, X Corp will be filing a thermonuclear lawsuit against Media Matters and all those who colluded in this fraudulent attack on our company,” Musk wrote in a post on X, without naming any other parties.
Numerous companies suspended ads in the last two days, including IBM, Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and Comcast, Lions Gate Entertainment and Paramount Global. Axios reported that Apple, the world’s largest company by market value, would do the same.
“This week Media Matters for America posted a story that completely misrepresented the real experience on X, in another attempt to undermine freedom of speech and mislead advertisers,” a statement posted by Musk said. He accused Media Matters of creating an alternative account designed to “misinform advertisers” about their posts.
Media Matters did not immediately respond to an emailed request seeking comment outside of business hours.
Musk has threatened legal action against other parties in the past, most specifically the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization that fights antisemitism, blaming it for X’s loss of ad revenue. He has not yet sued the ADL, however.
Advertisers have fled the site since Musk bought it in October 2022 and reduced content moderation, resulting in a sharp rise in hate speech, according to civil rights groups.
The White House on Friday condemned Musk’s endorsement of what it called a “hideous” antisemitic conspiracy theory, and accused Musk of an “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate” that “runs against our core values as Americans”.
Musk is also CEO of electric carmaker Tesla (TSLA.O), which has been hit by several lawsuits that allege rampant racial or sexual harassment of workers.
Antisemitism has been on the rise in recent years in the United States and worldwide. Following the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which attacked Israel on Oct. 7, antisemitic incidents in the United States rose by nearly 400% from the year-earlier period, the ADL said.
