U.S. Attorney Targets Wikipedia Nonprofit Status

Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin, a Trump appointee, has accused the Wikimedia Foundation of violating its nonprofit tax-exempt status by allegedly permitting foreign actors to manipulate Wikipedia content and spread propaganda. In a letter, Martin cited concerns about the rewriting of historical events and leader biographies, potentially impacting U.S. national security and public opinion, and demanded details about Wikimedia's editorial processes and safeguards against foreign influence by May 15, 2025. The Wikimedia Foundation responded by emphasizing its core content policies—neutral point of view, verifiability, and no original research—and highlighted the transparency and community-driven nature of its moderation. This inquiry is part of a broader trend of criticism from conservative figures targeting Wikipedia and other knowledge platforms for alleged bias and foreign interference. The controversy also follows heightened debate about Wikipedia's reliability and its use by AI models, alongside recent scrutiny from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League regarding content and source reliability. The outcome of the inquiry may have implications for Wikipedia's nonprofit status and content moderation practices.