Meta has made over $1.6 million from ads for the Daily Wire’s heinous anti-trans film
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Investigative Report: Meta Earns Over $1.6 Million from Far-Right Daily Wire to Promote Anti-Trans Film
In a recent analysis conducted by media watchdog group Media Matters, it has been revealed that Meta, the parent company of social media giant Facebook, has earned over $1.6 million from ads taken out by the far-right Daily Wire to promote its viciously anti-trans film, Lady Ballers. This discovery has raised concerns about Meta’s enforcement of its own policies regarding hate speech and the promotion of harmful content.
The analysis found that the Daily Wire ran a staggering 183 ads on both Facebook and Instagram to promote the film. What is even more alarming is that at least 150 of these ads included clips that directly violated Meta’s own anti-hate speech policies. Lady Ballers portrays a group of cisgender men pretending to be trans women, joining a women’s basketball league with the intention of dominating the sport. The film’s trailer proudly labels it as the “most triggering comedy of the year,” a clear nod to right-wing narratives that dismiss progressives as easily offended “snowflakes.”
But the offensive content doesn’t stop there. The film also mocks a trans activist named Dylan Mulvaney, who is not a professional athlete, and features a cameo appearance by Senator Ted Cruz. Another scene in the trailer belittles the concept of trans identities by suggesting that it is possible to be “trans age” and play on children’s sports teams as adults. Shockingly, the trailer even includes a scene where an adult severely injures a child during a baseball game.
Lady Ballers stars several Daily Wire commentators, including Matt Walsh, who is known for his own anti-trans film titled What is a Woman? LGBTQ Nation writer John Russell watched the entire film and described it as “vile” and something that “should be consigned to the compost heap of history to rot.” Russell pointed out that the film lacks any substantial ideas and simply regurgitates anti-trans talking points commonly found in right-wing media.
Media Matters has highlighted the fact that these ads, which contain clips from the film, violate Meta’s ban on “mocking people on the basis of their Protected Characteristics.” The company’s policies explicitly prohibit ads that engage in such behavior. Unfortunately, Meta has faced significant criticism in the past for failing to enforce these policies effectively.
In a scathing report published by Media Matters in October, it was revealed that Meta allowed an anti-LGBTQ+ group called Gays Against Groomers to spread hate speech and misinformation about LGBTQ+ individuals on its platforms for over a year. The report presented numerous instances where this group posted anti-LGBTQ+ content on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, including false claims about transgender people being mentally ill and baseless accusations that LGBTQ+ individuals endorse pedophilia. Additionally, the report highlighted the spread of misinformation about gender-affirming care and the debunked “groomer” narrative often propagated by the anti-LGBTQ+ right.
These findings raise serious questions about Meta’s commitment to addressing hate speech and harmful content on its platforms. Despite repeated promises to improve content moderation, the company seems to repeatedly fall short in enforcing its own policies. The fact that Meta has earned significant revenue from ads promoting an anti-trans film only exacerbates concerns about its priorities and willingness to protect marginalized communities.
As public pressure mounts, it is crucial for Meta to take immediate action to rectify these issues. The company must demonstrate a genuine commitment to enforcing its policies consistently and effectively. Failure to do so not only perpetuates harm against vulnerable communities but also undermines public trust in Meta’s ability to create a safe and inclusive online environment.
In the face of this alarming revelation, it is imperative that users and advocates continue to hold Meta accountable for its actions or lack thereof. The promotion of hateful and harmful content should have no place on social media platforms, and it is the responsibility of companies like Meta to ensure that their platforms do not contribute to the spread of discrimination and prejudice. Only through vigilant oversight and demand for change can we hope to create a digital landscape that truly embraces diversity and inclusivity.
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“Daily Wire anti-trans film revenue”
