Elon Musk and Charlie Kirk criticism resurfaces after DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center
WASHINGTON, DC: Old social media posts from Elon Musk and Charlie Kirk are making the rounds again after the US Department of Justice indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on multiple federal charges.
The development came on April 23, when federal prosecutors announced that the SPLC, a left-leaning nonprofit, had been charged with 11 counts, including wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.
The case has quickly sparked reactions online, with many pointing to earlier warnings and criticism made by prominent conservative voices.
"You have a successful effort at times to muzzle conservatives, and when you learn about what's alleged in the indictment it should make you check yourself" -- Acting AG Todd Blanche is on Newsmax taking a victory lap for the SPLC indictment, giving away the game as to what this… pic.twitter.com/PcTVeHvaD8
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2026
Elon Musk and Charlie Kirk’s past criticism of SPLC goes viral again
Musk had aimed at the SPLC months earlier, writing in October that the organization was harmful.
“The SPLC is an evil organization that spreads hate propaganda relentlessly. It needs to be shut down,” Musk wrote at the time.
The SPLC is an evil organization that spreads hate propaganda relentlessly.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2025
It needs to be shut down. https://t.co/v40Io9cGbK
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, had also been vocal in his criticism. In 2023, he labeled the SPLC a “hate group” and pushed back strongly against its decision to include his organization on its list.
“Being on their list is a badge of honor. It means they’re terrified that we’re so effective. Keep crying, SPLC—America’s done with your scam,” Kirk wrote in May 2025.
The SPLC has added Turning Point to their ridiculous “hate group” list, right next to the KKK and neo-Nazis, a cheap smear from a washed-up org that’s been fleecing scared grandmas for decades. They somehow still rake in over $100 million a year peddling their “hate map”…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 25, 2025
Those remarks are now being widely shared again as the legal case against the nonprofit unfolds.
DOJ alleges SPLC funneled millions to extremist groups
According to the Justice Department, the indictment centers on allegations that the SPLC secretly routed millions of dollars in donor funds to individuals connected to extremist organizations.
Prosecutors claim the nonprofit used “fictitious entities” to hide where the money was going.
The SPLC built its name on FIGHTING the KKK—now, they're accused of PAYING them.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 22, 2026
The DOJ alleges that the Southern Poverty Law Center funneled more than $3 MILLION to individuals connected to extremist groups for more than a decade.
The groups include:
Ku Klux Klan
American… pic.twitter.com/2zTfqvveE9
The DOJ alleges that between 2014 and 2023, more than $3 million was funneled to members of groups such as the Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Party of America, and the United Klans of America.
The SPLC has strongly defended its actions, saying that the payments were made to informants who were helping gather information about extremist activity.
Legal experts weigh in as SPLC faces serious charges
Legal analyst Jonathan Turley weighed in on the case, noting how unusual the situation is.
“The irony is also that it was the Center that sought to seize assets from groups like the KKK. Now the US government is trying to, through forfeiture, seize the assets of the Center,” Turley said.
The unfolding prosecution is likely to shine a light on the tactics used by the Center. It could also further define the constitutional protections for such organizations in using such novel and controversial means. https://t.co/5g7z8g9bCd
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) April 22, 2026
He also pointed out that it is rare for a non-law enforcement group to be involved in operations like this.
Turley described the organization as having moved into a more openly political role in recent years.
Long-standing tensions between SPLC and conservative figures resurface
The indictment has also brought renewed attention to the long-running tensions between the SPLC and several conservative figures and organizations.
The nonprofit has previously criticized both Musk and Kirk. After Kirk’s death last year, the group accused members of the “hard right” of using the moment to push conspiracy theories and target educators.
The SPLC also made claims about Musk in a post last year, alleging that he made a controversial gesture during an event tied to President Donald Trump.
Musk denied the accusation at the time, calling it part of a “dirty tricks” strategy.
