Elon Musk’s X scored a significant victory this week when the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) suspended its operations following an antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Texas federal court, accuses GARM, the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and several member companies of orchestrating an illegal ad boycott targeting X.
The legal action also implicates major corporations such as CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever, which collectively control a vast majority of global advertising. The lawsuit alleges that these companies used their market power to suppress conservative voices by restricting their access to advertising revenue.
This lawsuit follows a GOP congressional report that revealed GARM’s extensive control over the advertising market. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) led the investigation, accusing GARM and the WFA of monopolizing advertising dollars and using their influence to silence right-wing media. According to the report, GARM’s actions have effectively created a “marketing cartel” that stifles free speech.
In response to the lawsuit, X CEO Linda Yaccarino issued a statement condemning the actions of GARM and its affiliates. “When certain viewpoints are suppressed through illegal boycotts, the marketplace of ideas suffers,” Yaccarino said. She emphasized that the lawsuit aims to address a broken system that allows such practices to occur.
On Thursday, the WFA announced that it would suspend GARM’s activities temporarily, though it plans to continue defending itself in court. The organization described the suspension as a strategic move while it assesses the ongoing legal situation.
The suspension of GARM’s operations marks a significant milestone in Musk’s fight against what he describes as a coordinated effort to silence conservative voices. However, the legal battle is far from over, as the WFA prepares to challenge the allegations in court. This case has drawn attention to the power of advertising monopolies and their potential impact on free speech.
