Conservative journalist James O’Keefe has been ousted from Project Veritas, the conservative media group he founded over a decade ago.
Various reports have surfaced accusing O’Keefe of running a toxic work environment, with the Post Millenial reporting on “vague charges” that he was “a brutal taskmaster who demanded perfection.”
The National Review also claims there were “apparent conflicts between O’Keefe and other leaders of the conservative watchdog group,” while other reports indicate there had been disputes over his spending tactics.
The conservative firebrand was placed on paid leave earlier this month as the board of the organization sorted through their next course of action.
The suspension was reportedly due to O’Keefe’s attempt to fire the group’s chief strategy and financial officers over alleged conflicts over fundraising.
BREAKING: O’Keefe has been ousted by PV’s board. He had risen to prominence during Trump era as Trump and his followers embraced his controversial tactics. Project Veritas is under federal investigation by SDNY for purchasing Ashley Biden’s stolen diary.https://t.co/HCRHHbOiIF
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) February 20, 2023
Project Veritas Ousts James O’Keefe
Following his ouster from Project Veritas, O’Keefe posted a video on social media announcing the move, explaining what he believed had happened.
“I don’t know why this has happened now or why this is happening suddenly right now,” O’Keefe told staff in the video.
That said, he strongly insinuated that an undercover video allegedly showing a Pfizer official losing his cool, destroying an iPad, and getting into a physical altercation with O’Keefe after being confronted with footage of his own statements, posted last month, was the breaking point.
In that video, the Pfizer employee claimed the company wanted to ‘mutate’ the COVID virus to make new vaccines and profit off of them.
The most watched video in Project Veritas history and it hasn’t even been 24 hours… pic.twitter.com/xaRvlD5qTo
— Project Veritas (@Project_Veritas) January 26, 2023
The undercover sting is described by O’Keefe as “the biggest story in our organization’s history” and the “only thing” that has changed in his working tenure with Project Veritas in recent days.
“That is the only thing that has changed,” he said of the Pfizer video. “And then, suddenly, an unusual emergency happened just a few days after that.”
Since it’s already out there, here are my heartfelt remarks to my staff this morning.
I need to make clear I have not resigned from the company, Project Veritas, I founded 13 years ago. I was stripped of my position as CEO and Chairman.
I came to the PV pic.twitter.com/NwHivwR1EM… https://t.co/X1lKCnwuif
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) February 21, 2023
Outrage Over O’Keefe’s Removal
James O’Keefe has defended himself over accusations that he is a difficult “taskmaster” to work with, admitting his faults but noting he cares about his staff even if he doesn’t show it at times.
“I haven’t always been the most compassionate leader, and that is admittedly a fault of mine, something I need to work on,” he states in the video.
“I do love many of you. I never said it, those words, but I’ll say it now.”
BREAKING VIDEO: James O’Keefe addresses Project Veritas staff as he exits from the organization he founded following a high-profile board dispute. “Our mission continues on. I’m not done. The mission will perhaps take on a new name…” pic.twitter.com/0fZov5AXa3
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 20, 2023
Conservatives on social media were passionately furious over O’Keefe’s ouster from Project Veritas.
“[O’Keefe] is Project Veritas. Project Veritas is nothing without James O’Keefe,” writes political commentator David Freiheit. “I will continue to support James. But Never again Project Veritas.”
Over 100,000 unfollowed @Project_Veritas today. @JamesOKeefeIII is Project Veritas. Project Veritas is nothing without James O’Keefe. I will continue to support James. But Never again Project Veritas. pic.twitter.com/rmVaMusdRQ
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) February 20, 2023
Fox News contributor Ben Domenech argued that if there were a way, right-leaning media would have ousted another “creative genius” like the late Andrew Breitbart.
James O’Keefe out at Project Veritas is yet another example of how right media and the donor class have a deep intolerance for creative genius.
If Andrew Breitbart had lived, they’d have found a way to ditch him, too.
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) February 20, 2023
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk asked his followers if they thought Project Veritas would continue to “thrive” without James O’Keefe at the helm.
The overwhelming response was some form of the word ‘No.’
LEAKED Project Veritas board email argues that Project Veritas will “thrive” without James O’Keefe.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/RMT7ZjO8m9
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 21, 2023
Podcast host Kyle Becker declared Project Veritas “dead to me.”
After watching James O’Keefe’s farewell video, I can declare that @Project_Veritas is dead to me pic.twitter.com/kwQZUhkXVL
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) February 20, 2023
O’Keefe, in his farewell speech to staff, hinted at his future.
“I’m announcing to you all that today, on Presidents Day, I’m packing up my personal belongings… and I’m intending to start anew,” he told staff.
“So, our mission continues on. I’m not done,” he said in a veritable Jerry Maguire moment.
“The mission will perhaps take on a new name, and it may no longer be called Veritas, Project Veritas,” O’Keefe added. “I will need a bunch of people around me, and I’ll make sure you know how to find me.”
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