The American Conservative Union accused Politico of trying to ward off sponsors of the Conservative Political Action Conference by peddling “misleading” claims about the event.
“We understand that Politico reporters are calling sponsors of our national conference (CPAC) and making claims about both our chairman and our conference that are contrary to the facts,” CPAC organizers wrote in a joint letter with the ACU to Politico. “We know this because those very same potential sponsors have immediately contacted us. In pushing a misleading narrative to our supporters using cooperate resources, Politico is attempting to chill sponsorship of CPAC and harm the American Conservative Union.”
The Republican activists further positioned that the outlet intends to “cancel” CPAC and the ACU through “unsupported claims.” A lawyer for the two organizations alleged “tortious” interference that could have legal repercussions.
ATTN: @politico @CPAC pic.twitter.com/tDEHSWhHLX
— ACU (@ACUConservative) January 26, 2021
“Based on reporter inquiries relayed to us, the unsupported claims, insinuations, and falsehoods made by Politico appear intended to ‘cancel’ both CPAC and the American Conservative Union itself,” David Safavian, general counsel for the ACU wrote. “We fully intend to explore our legal rights to hold Politico accountable for what we see as tortious conduct.”
In response to the allegations, a Politico spokesperson told the Washington Examiner, “POLITICO is doing what journalists do—ask questions and pursue truth. We will continue to do so.”
The ACU did not immediately return a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
The conservative groups also accused Politico of “political activism” and “fake news” in the letter addressed to top figures at the company.
“Whether you realize it or not, you are demonstrating to our sponsors and supporters your political bias. Fortunately, most see this effort for what is it: ‘fake news,’” the letter said. “Our Founding Fathers understood that the press has a special role to play in our democracy. As such, the Framers accorded the news media with protections in the First Amendment. However, Politico’s continued campaign against the American Conservative Union crosses the line from protected speech to political activism.”
Shortly after the release of the message from CPAC and the ACU, Politico published a story, written by Gabby Orr and Daniel Lippman, mentioning its efforts to contact sponsors of the event that’s set to take place in late February in Orlando, Florida. Orr formerly worked as a reporter for the Washington Examiner. The piece indicated that some sponsors are weighing their options “due to mediocre returns on the investment or changes to the conference structure.”
Some of the advertisers paid over $250,000 to the convention for “exclusive benefits and branding opportunities.”
