A federal judge on Monday blocked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from investigating Media Matters for America, the liberal watchdog group that has criticized the spread of hate speech on X since Elon Musk purchased the platform.

What To Know

U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued an injunction Friday, ruling that the FTC’s probe, “purportedly to investigate an advertiser boycott concerning social media platforms,” amounted to a violation of Media Matters’ free speech rights.

“It should alarm all Americans when the government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate,” Sooknanan wrote.

The FTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.

Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Associated Press

Media Matters is already defending itself against a lawsuit Musk filed after the group reported in November 2023 that antisemitic and other offensive posts were appearing alongside ads on X.

In granting the injunction, Sooknanan said Media Matters is likely to succeed in its claim that the FTC’s actions are retaliation for an article critical of a Trump supporter.

What People Are Saying

Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters, said in a statement: “The court’s ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration.”

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.