Judge recuses himself from X suit against Media Matters

Elon Musk's X sued the watchdog group over an article in published that featured images of ads for the platform's major advertisers next to antisemitic and pro-Nazi content.

Published: November 28, 2023 3:41pm

Updated: November 28, 2023 3:54pm

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman on Tuesday announced that he would recuse himself from a lawsuit against Media Matters for America (MMFA) filed by social media company X.

Pittman did not state a reason for his recusal, The Hill reported. Elon Musk's X sued the watchdog group over an article in published that featured images of ads for the platform's major advertisers next to antisemitic and pro-Nazi content.

The company has alleged that MMFA manipulated its algorithms to produce its desired results with the intent of interfering with its business relations and scaring away advertisers.

Pittman's recusal could potential be a setback for Musk's suit. Nevada-based First Amendment Attorney Marc Randazza told Just the News on Monday that Pittman, a Trump appointee, "is a good judge," adding "lucky him" in reference to Musk receiving Pittman as the judge in the case. He did, however, insist that "I don't think he's gonna rubber stamp anything."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.

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