The nonprofit media watchdog group Media Matters is reportedly considering shutting down, the New York Times reported Friday, as the nonprofit scrambles to fend off “legal assaults” from allies of President Donald Trump.
“The group has slashed the size of its staff and scrambled to raise more cash from skittish donors, according to documents and interviews with 11 people familiar with the organization’s fight to survive,” reads a report published in the New York Times on Friday.
“...As a last resort, it has considered shuttering, according to interviews and an internal document.”
Media Matters has faced lawsuits and investigations from a number of Trump allies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who sued the organization in 2023 for its reporting on the Musk-owned platform X, which revealed major advertisers’ brands were appearing alongside right-wing extremist content.
Another Trump ally, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, followed suit in launching an investigation into Media Matters for its reporting on X. And while a D.C. Circuit panel ultimately shut down that probe as being without merit, the organization has reportedly struggled financially to keep pace with the countless legal attacks.
In some cases, the Times reported, that struggle has led to significant blows to morale and even editorial compromises.
“As the battle continues, Media Matters stands as an example of how legal warfare waged by powerful ideological opponents can squelch influential voices and stifle political dissent,” the Times reported.
“The group says it has dialed back its criticism of Mr. Musk and the Trump FTC. Media Matters has also been frozen out by some allies. And it has faced plummeting staff morale, rising infighting and security concerns.”
Media Matters leadership, however, has denied that they have compromised any editorial integrity and pledged to continue to seek vindication in the courts.
“Unlike some major media entities that have recently caved to pressure, we understand that this battle is larger than us,” said Media Matters president Angelo Carusone in a statement reported by The New York Times. “That’s why we continue to carry out our mission and fight in court.”
