Media Matters for America, a left-wing advocacy group, is reportedly funded by prominent Democratic donors, as per a recent Washington Free Beacon report.
The group, known as a liberal media watchdog, was said to have inaccurately listed key donors in a document submitted to the New Mexico attorney general.
Deborah Simon, affiliated with Simon Property Group, was identified as a significant donor, contributing $4 million. Simon is noted for her substantial financial support to Democratic causes and her opposition to former President Trump. The Gill Foundation, led by Tim Gill, a key figure in Colorado’s Democratic scene, also donated nearly $3 million.
Other notable contributors include the Stephen Silberstein Foundation, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and Joshua Bekenstein of Bain Capital, along with his wife Anita. Media Matters, established in 2004 by David Brock, a Democratic activist and Clinton ally, has been involved in campaigns against conservative figures and movements.
Brock departed from Media Matters in 2022 to support President Biden. The organization, despite its tax-exempt status, has faced criticism for its political activities. This includes controversy over receiving a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan during the COVID pandemic, despite its critiques of Trump’s policies.
Recently, Media Matters clashed with Elon Musk, leading to Musk filing a lawsuit against the group for allegedly misrepresenting user experiences on a platform to deter advertisers. Media Matters had not responded to a request for comment on these developments at the time of reporting.
Media Matters has some ties to prominent Democratic donors, as mentioned in the Washington Free Beacon report. They’ve faced criticism for inaccuracies in donor listings and even got a PPP loan despite being tax-exempt. The recent clash with Elon Musk adds another layer of controversy.