Wikipedia Accused of Spreading Propaganda to the American Public, Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status

“Ed Martin, the firebrand Republican activist whom President Donald Trump picked to be the top prosecutor in D.C., has a new target: Wikipedia.

Martin, the interim U.S. attorney in Washington and Trump’s permanent selection to serve in that role, sent a letter on Thursday… pic.twitter.com/jUGssQ12qS

— The Free Press (@TheFP) April 25, 2025

… and Trump’s permanent selection to serve in that role, sent a letter on Thursday afternoon to the Wikimedia Foundation that alleged it “is engaging in a series of activities that could violate its obligations” under 501(c)(3), a section of the IRS code for charities. It is Wikipedia’s parent group.

The letter, which was obtained by The Free Press, accused the largest online encyclopedia of “allowing foreign actors to manipulate information and spread propaganda to the American public.” The Wikimedia Foundation, Martin said, is directed by a board “that is composed primarily of foreign nationals” who are “subverting the interests of American taxpayers.”

The Trump-allied prosecutor went on to accuse the foundation of engaging in activities that are “implicating the national security and the interests of the United States,” according to the letter, which is four pages long and demanded responses to a dozen questions about the Wikimedia Foundation’s operations by May 15.

Here’s the full Wikipedia letter from Ed Martin, Trump-appointed interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., via @gekaminsky and @TheFP:

Martin alleges serious violations of Wikimedia’s tax-exempt status, citing foreign manipulation and biased information threats.

🔸 Ed Martin, interim… pic.twitter.com/hvPSirRoVD

— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) April 26, 2025

… U.S. Attorney for D.C.