FTC settles with Media Matters and agrees not to reinvestigate

The Federal Trade Commission settled its litigation with Media Matters in May 2026 after courts found the agency violated the First Amendment by retaliating against the nonprofit for its reporting on Elon Musk's X. Under the settlement terms, the FTC agreed to never reissue or issue a substantially similar civil investigative demand to Media Matters, stated in writing that Media Matters is not a target of any investigation, and agreed that any future litigation would occur in D.C. Media Matters called it a complete and total victory.