John,

News just broke that Trump’s Federal Trade Commission is opening an investigation into the progressive watchdog group Media Matters. According to reports, the FTC is demanding access to its budgets, communications, and internal documents.

Darkly, the investigation comes just months after Elon Musk—Trump’s biggest campaign donor—sued Media Matters for exposing that ads were appearing alongside antisemitic content on Musk’s “X.”

We’ll explain why this is so alarming in a moment. But if you’re ready to support fearless, independent media working to ensure the truth survives this perilous moment, please chip in any amount to COURIER today: [[link removed]]

Contribute Now [[link removed]]

Founded in 2004, Media Matters was created to expose far-right outlets like Fox News for peddling lies and propaganda to the American public. For decades, their work has been critical in holding far-right liars accountable—from Rush Limbaugh to Joe Rogan to Elon Musk.

Now, Media Matters joins ActBlue, Indivisible, and law firms that represent Democrats, as the latest progressive institutions facing existential threats from Trump’s administration.

Trump has already:

* Signed executive orders to punish law firms that represent Democrats
* Directed the DOJ to investigate ActBlue
* And is now using the FTC to target watchdogs like Media Matters—egged on by Musk who has a personal vendetta against the organization.

John, this is a coordinated effort to discredit, defund, and dismantle the institutions that speak up.

At COURIER, we’re not staying quiet.

We’re standing up now—defending those on the front lines, and using our platform to reach millions and expose these attacks for what they are: authoritarianism in action.

If you believe in defending free speech, the right to dissent and journalism that challenges power—chip in $25 today to help COURIER fight back. [[link removed]]

Contribute Now [[link removed]]

Thanks for standing with us,
The COURIER Team

---
Email us: [email protected]

This message was sent to: [email protected].

Email is a critical way we communicate with grassroots supporters like you. However, if you would like to change your subscription preferences, here are some options:

Receive Fewer Emails: [link removed]
Update Your Information: [link removed]
Unsubscribe: unsubscribe: [link removed]

To give by check:

Courier Newsroom
Box 509
New York, NY 10032