Media Matters laid off more than a dozen staffers on Thursday. The layoffs come following a lawsuit months ago from X owner and businessman Elon Musk. In addition, digital media outlets continue to struggle with a declining advertising market amid reduced online traffic.
Media Matters president Angelo Carusone said in a statement, “We’re confronting a legal assault on multiple fronts. Given how rapidly the media landscape is shifting, we need to be extremely intentional about how we allocate resources in order to stay effective. Nobody does what Media Matters does. So, we’re taking this action now to ensure that we are sustainable, sturdy and successful for whatever lies ahead.”
Daily Wire and Westwood One host Michael Knowles responded to the news during his show on Thursday. Knowles said the news was a little personal for him. He claimed Media Matters tried getting him fired 228 times. Knowles based that number off of the number of articles under his section on the Media Matters website.
Knowles read a tweet from Ari Drennen, which confirmed the company had parted ways with staffers. Drennen’s tweet ended by saying “it should worry you that any billionaire could do this to any outlet at any time for any reason. It’s a sad day for free speech.” That last line drew a witty response from Knowles.
“Media Matters is a billionaire funded company that exists strictly to get people fired for saying things that the billionaire liberals don’t like,” said Knowles. “The irony is very great.”
Knowles acknowledged that he doesn’t like seeing people lose their jobs. However, he mentioned that many at the outlet have strange views of the world, and they’ll now have to figure out their next steps.
“The Media Matters people will be alright’, added Knowles. “Right now, they’re all wrong, so I hope they all end up alright. I hope that they decide to turn their attentions, their lives, and their labor toward more edifying pursuits than trying to get me fired, two hundred and twenty eight times, none yet successful.”
Among those leaving the company include Katherine Abughazaleh, Ethan Colier, Alex Paterson, Alex Novell, and Carl Evans.
Media Matters formed in 2004 under activist David Brock.
