Politics

Judge Halts Trump-Era FTC Probe Into Media Matters, Citing First Amendment Retaliation

August 17, 2025, 1:14 PM

President Donald Trump speaking to the press outdoors, with his mouth open, and a blurred figure in the foreground.

President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One. By Shutterstock.com / Joey Sussman.

Executive Summary

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into Media Matters for America.

The judge cited evidence that the FTC probe was likely an act of retaliation against Media Matters for its First Amendment-protected activities.

The ruling suggests Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim and highlights ongoing legal debates about the scope of government power in investigations targeting non-profit and media organizations.

The Story So Far

Media Matters for America is known for its campaigns targeting media outlets like Fox News and Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, leading to public disputes with Musk.

Elon Musk and some Republican officials have accused Media Matters of trying to harm his business and alleged that liberal activists collude with advertisers to disadvantage conservative platforms.

Media Matters alleged the FTC’s probe into possible collusion was an act of “retribution,” particularly with President Trump’s potential return to power emboldening the group’s opponents.

Why This Matters

The preliminary injunction suggests Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim, potentially setting a precedent against government probes initiated for retaliatory reasons.

This ruling underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny of government agencies’ investigative powers, particularly when targeting non-profit and media organizations under the protection of First Amendment rights.

The decision could serve as a check on potential future actions by a Trump administration or other government entities against groups perceived as critics, reinforcing protections for advocacy organizations.

Who Thinks What?

Media Matters for America viewed the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation as an act of “retribution” and a violation of its First Amendment-protected activities.

The Trump administration’s Federal Trade Commission initiated a probe into Media Matters, with critics like Elon Musk and some Republican officials alleging the group colluded with advertisers to disadvantage conservative platforms.

U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan granted a preliminary injunction against the FTC’s investigation, citing evidence that the probe was likely an act of retaliation against Media Matters.

A federal judge has blocked an investigation by the Trump administration’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into Media Matters for America, a liberal advocacy group. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued a preliminary injunction, citing evidence that the probe, initiated last spring, was likely an act of retaliation against the organization for its First Amendment-protected activities.

Background of Media Matters

Media Matters for America is known for its campaigns targeting media outlets such as Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News and Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. The group has published reports detailing the prevalence of violent and hateful content on X, leading to public disputes with Musk.

Musk has publicly described Media Matters as an “evil propaganda machine,” alleging their intent was to harm his business by deterring advertisers. He subsequently sued Media Matters, which then filed a countersuit. Some Republican elected officials have voiced support for Musk’s position.

Critics of Media Matters, including some Republican officials, have alleged that liberal activists have colluded with advertisers to disadvantage conservative platforms and suppress speech. Conversely, some advertisers sued by Musk have asserted that he has resorted to legal and political maneuvers to regain lost business for X.

FTC Investigation and Legal Challenge

Media Matters alleged the FTC’s probe into possible collusion was an act of “retribution,” particularly with President Trump’s potential return to power emboldening the group’s opponents. The organization filed suit against the FTC to seek legal relief from the investigation.

Implications of the Ruling

The court’s decision to grant the preliminary injunction suggests Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim. The ruling underscores ongoing legal debates concerning the scope of government power in investigations targeting non-profit and media organizations, particularly when First Amendment rights are invoked.