A federal judge has ordered Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to halt his investigation into Media Matters for America, a nonprofit journalism organization known for its critical reporting on various topics, including Musk’s X platform. The investigation was initiated after Media Matters published an article revealing that X had placed advertisements next to pro-Nazi posts, drawing the ire of Elon Musk.
In March, Bailey issued a civil investigative demand seeking names, addresses of Media Matters donors residing in Missouri, and internal communications related to the group’s investigations on Musk and X. He also filed a lawsuit to enforce this demand. Media Matters responded by suing Bailey in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, where Judge Amit Mehta granted a preliminary injunction preventing Bailey from continuing the investigation.
Judge Mehta previously issued a similar order against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Mehta’s memorandum opinion cited that Media Matters demonstrated a likelihood of success on their claim that Bailey acted in retaliation to deter speech. Mehta wrote, “Such action chills speech,” referring to Bailey’s request for a state court to sanction Media Matters with a civil penalty.
In his ruling, Mehta also noted that Media Matters’ reporting was likely protected speech, pointing out that X did not deny the basic premise that advertisements had appeared next to extremist content. Bailey’s lawsuit, filed in Cole County Circuit Court, claimed Media Matters fraudulently solicited donations from Missourians. However, Mehta noted that the state provided inadequate evidence for these claims, suggesting the investigation was politically motivated.
Bailey can appeal Mehta’s ruling. If upheld, the preliminary injunction will remain until a final judgment is rendered in Media Matters’ case against Bailey.