Project Veritas is a far-right organization that was founded by conservative politician James O’Keefe III in 2010. It was suspended in 2023 because of its unethical practices, in which it claimed to use journalism. The organization is known for producing visibly edited videos that are meant to hinder the success of progressive groups, such as Planned Parenthood and the New Jersey Education Association, which are only just two of the many high-profile examples. Project Veritas has even gone so far as to target the Democratic Party by filming undercover videos at the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
I was just so surprised when I learned how something like this even exists! It upsets me to know how Project Veritas claimed to use journalism, but in reality, they had had an intent to mislead the people. However, I am relieved to know that people did not believe their altered findings.
It makes sense that Project Veritas was sued for defamation by the CNN, and an Erie, Pennsylvania postmaster in the 2020 election. Project Veritas has also been accused of entrapment, misrepresentation, and raising conspiracy theories regarding Democrats. Project Veritas was funded by Donors Trust, which supports conservative activities. Additionally, Donald Trump, our current president, has supported and funded the doings of Project Veritas by donating $10,000 in 2015 a month before he launched his presidential campaign.
I came across a specific instance in which founder James O’Keefe III worked with a pro-choice woman named Lila Rose in order to delegitimize Planned Parenthood. Rose was so against abortion that at UCLA she even started an anti-abortion organization. The fact that a woman did not support the personal decisions of other women made me incredibly sad.
Project Veritas is still very relevant today because it shows how far the other side can go in order to feel superior. It is important to know that the organization has been suspended and that the public knows of their wrongdoings. We need to keep being motivated to protest against the current administration and take action against what we know is wrong for the good of everybody as a whole. We have the support of so many people as seen in the recent highly-successful No Kings protests. Letting the unethical conductions of an organization that has been publicly recognized as deceptive, should not stop us from making a positive change in the world.
Nikita Bansal, Summer Intern 2025
https://aftmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/what-is-project-veritas12.pdf
https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/11/07/appeals-court-revives-project-veritas-lawsuit-against-cnn
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/21/trump-foundation-paid-activist-filmmaker-james-okeefe.html