Democrats Demand Answers from X on Terrorist Propaganda

Strategic Insights -

More than two dozen Democratic House members have signed a letter to X, formerly Twitter, owner Elon Musk and the company's chief executive, Linda Yaccarino, accusing the social media platform of failing to remove terrorist propaganda from its site. The lawmakers, who claim the platform is profiting from the content, have demanded that X provide written communications related to content moderation for any posts related to Hamas, the militant group that set off the current conflict in Israel and Gaza. The signers of the letter, which was sent on November 21, include Reps. Daniel S. Goldman (D-N.Y.), Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.), and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).

Key Takeaways:

  • The letter accuses X of failing to follow its own policies to curb terrorist propaganda, citing reports from the Tech Transparency Project and Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
  • The lawmakers claim that X Premium accounts have been spreading Hamas terrorist propaganda videos, glorifying violent acts against Israelis.
  • The letter notes that Hamas has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US government since 1997, and it is illegal to knowingly provide material support or resources to such organizations.
  • X has been accused of profiting from the terrorist propaganda, with ads from major companies being placed next to pro-Nazi content on the platform.
  • The lawmakers have demanded that X provide written communications related to content moderation for any posts related to Hamas by December 1.
  • X has denied the allegations, calling a report from Media Matters "inaccurate" and an attempt to "undermine freedom of speech and mislead advertisers."
  • The Texas Attorney General's office has opened an investigation into "potential fraudulent activity" by Media Matters.

Statistics:

  • More than 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and over 200 people have taken hostage.
  • Over 11,000 deaths in Gaza have been confirmed by health officials in the Hamas-controlled area.
  • X has nearly 164 million followers, with Musk having replied to an antisemitic message by saying "You have said the actual truth."
  • Media Matters reported that X had placed ads for major companies next to pro-Nazi content on the platform.
  • X's lawsuit against Media Matters claims that some of its largest advertisers withdrew their ads after the report was published.

Sources:

  • Azi Paybarah, "More than Two Dozen Democrats Call on X to Explain Terrorism-Related Content" (The New York Times)
  • Tech Transparency Project, "X's Problem with Terrorism" (report)
  • Institute for Strategic Dialogue, "Counter-Extremism on Social Media" (report)
  • Media Matters, "Media Matters: X Places Ads for Major Companies Next to Pro-Nazi Content" (report)
  • State Department, "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" (list)
  • White House, "Statement on Elon Musk's Antisemitic Comment" (statement)
  • X, "Statement on Media Matters Report" (statement)
  • Texas Attorney General's office, "Investigation into Potential Fraudulent Activity by Media Matters" (statement)