X sues Media Matters over report of ads next to antisemitic posts

Elon Musk's social media platform, X, has filed a lawsuit against watchdog group Media Matters for America following the latter's publication of a report stating that ads on X had appeared next to antisemitic comments.

The original article, published last week, bore the headline "As Musk endorses antisemitic conspiracy theory, X has been placing ads for Apple, Bravo, IBM, Oracle, and Xfinity next to pro-Nazi content." The article purported to show ads for major companies placed next to explicitly antisemitic or pro-Nazi materials.

X, however, contends that the article was merely part of an attempt to falsely paint the company as rife with antisemitic and otherwise bigoted content. The company has sought an order requiring that Media Matters remove the offending article and pay an unspecified sum in damages, Variety reported. The company further claimed that Media Matters "knowingly and maliciously manufactured" the posts for the article. 

X CEO Linda Yaccarino on Monday asserted that the ads which appeared next to the ads referenced in the article had not been viewed by more than two genuine users, at least one of whom was Media Matters.

"If you know me, you know I'm committed to truth and fairness. Here's the truth. Not a single authentic user on X saw IBM’s, Comcast’s, or Oracle’s ads next to the content in Media Matters’ article. Only 2 users saw Apple’s ad next to the content, at least one of which was Media Matters. Data wins over manipulation or allegations. Don't be manipulated. Stand with X" she said.

Also on Monday, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone insisted to Reuters that the platform was rife with white nationalist content and that X's system to prevent ads from appearing next to offensive content was not functioning as the company claimed.

"If you search for white nationalist content, there are ads flourishing. The system they say exists is not operating as such," he said.

The filing makes good on a promise Musk made to sue Media Matters after a host of major advertisers announced they would pull ads from X in the wake of the report.

"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 said over the weekend.

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