Elon Musk and online influencers help drive FBI split with SPLC and ADL

Published October 3, 2025 5:15pm ET



The FBI severed ties this week with two civil rights organizations, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, after a wave of online backlash led by Elon Musk and other influencers who accused the groups of smearing conservative personalities and inspiring violence.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on Friday that the bureau no longer shares information with or receives intelligence products from the SPLC, denouncing the group’s “hate map” as a political tool that has endangered mainstream conservatives and Christians.

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