At least a dozen staffers at the left-wing character assassination outlet Media Matters for America were laid off today. Ordinarily, you could feel sorry for market forces putting people out of work, but that doesn't apply in this case. There probably haven't been this many deserving people at the unemployment office since the last left-wing media outlet failed.
No one is talking about why the staffers were sent off to learn to code, but there is a strong suspicion that it is linked to a civil suit filed by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Media Matters went after advertisers on "X," the platform formerly known as Twitter, based on provably false claims that ads were running side-by-side with racist and otherwise undesirable posts. The point of the attack was clear. Media Matters was trying to create facts that would hurt Musk's company.
BACKGROUND:
Media Matters Launches Full-Fledged Attack Against Elon Musk
Elon Musk Drops the Hammer on Media Matters
The Lie-Able Sources Podcast: Taking a Long Look at the Elon Musk-Media Matters Feud
Not only did Musk file a lawsuit alleging tens of millions of dollars in actual damage, he did so in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas and drew a Trump-appointed judge. He was quickly followed by the attorneys general of Texas and Missouri, who also opened criminal investigations into Media Matters for fraud.
BACKGROUND:
Missouri Joins Texas in Investigating Media Matters for Fraud for Their Attack on Musk's Advertisers
The subtext in the layoffs is that Media Matters is on the verge of settling Musk's lawsuit for a crap-ton of money, and Media Matters's donors aren't excited about seeing their money go into Musk's pocket instead of the hard work of slandering folks. I only hope that the Texas and Missouri investigations are continuing because they will bleed Media Matters and maybe throw some to the sociopaths who run the place in prison. The people let go today were the deadwood in an organization filled with it. More will follow in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, enjoy.
MMFA layoffs? #schadenboner
— Jay (@OneFineJay) May 23, 2024
I’m going to thread any MMFA layoff announcements here.
— Kat Abu (@abughazalehkat) May 23, 2024
I can’t recommend any of my colleagues enough — they’re all incredibly talented, smart, hardworking people who you should definitely hire:
Unfortunately I have been impacted by the Media Matters lay-offs alongside some brilliant and inspiring colleagues.
— Ethan Collier 🖊 (@ethancollier_) May 23, 2024
I’m now open to any research analyst/associate roles, specifically regarding RWM narratives on DEI, education, and LGBTQ+ issues. My DMs are open for any leads. 👇🏼
We are losing some of the finest progressive researchers and commentators in the business today.
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) May 23, 2024
Our loss can be your gain.
Hire Kat and the rest of my colleagues. You won't regret it. https://t.co/tsrKnwUjly
After nearly four years of working at media matters, I got laid off. So if anyone is looking for researchers with video experience, drop a line.
— Bee (@mount_bees) May 23, 2024
I got laid off from Media Matters @mmfa today, proud of the 5 years of intense work I put into fighting right-wing hatred.
— Alex Paterson (@AlexPattyy) May 23, 2024
I'm an incredible manager with superb research skills. Please hire me!
Sorry, I have to run to the ER right now. My excited condition has persisted for longer than four hours.
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