Media Matters Sheds Staff Amid Legal Battles, Financial Pressures

Media Matters, a progressive media “watchdog” organization focused on smearing conservatives as part of an effort to convince advertisers to stop funding them, has recently let go of approximately twelve employees amidst escalating legal disputes and financial difficulties. This decision comes amid ongoing federal investigations and a defamation lawsuit brought forth by Elon Musk, CEO of X.

Reports from the Daily Caller indicate that former employees shared news of their terminations on social media platforms following the internal decision made by Media Matters.

The organization finds itself under investigation by Attorneys General Ken Paxton of Texas and Andrew Bailey of Missouri, who are probing allegations of fraudulent conduct related to data manipulation on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against Media Matters alleges defamation and centers around the outlet’s creation of fabricated images purportedly depicting advertisements from major corporations alongside content posted by individuals labeled as “White supremacists.”

Former Media Matters employee Brendan Karet expressed mixed sentiments about the layoffs, stating relief from no longer having to endure what he described as “dumbest dogshit on earth” daily, while also acknowledging the challenges ahead.

The downsizing at Media Matters reflects broader struggles within left-leaning digital media outlets, including NowThis, which underwent significant layoffs earlier this year as part of a strategic realignment effort to ensure long-term sustainability in a changing media landscape.

The trend of layoffs extends beyond NowThis to other progressive media entities, such as The Intercept, which experienced staff reductions, including the departure of its Editor-in-Chief, Roger Hodge. Furthermore, The Messenger, a digital media startup launched in May 2023, ceased operations within a year of its inception, highlighting the formidable challenges facing new entrants in the digital media sphere.

Meanwhile, conservatives celebrated the news of Media Matters’ layoffs on X, with Fox News host Greg Gutfeld declaring: “Media matters sole purpose was to get people fired through the amplification of false smears. They deserve no sympathy or help peddling their propaganda elsewhere.”

“Media Matters literally has a page on their site dedicated to lying about and defaming me. They blame me for b*mb threats, call me all kinds of names and slurs, and make s—t up about me. No sympathy from me for the mass layoffs at Media Matters,” wrote Chaya Raichik, owner of popular X account “Libs of TikTok.”