Timcast IRL · June 1, 2023 · 2h 0m

Timcast IRL #790 Project Veritas SUES James O'Keefe, Bud Light DROPS From #1 Spot w/James O'Keefe

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Episode Recap

Timcast IRL episode 790 featured James O'Keefe as the guest discussing the recent lawsuit filed against him by Project Veritas. The show opened with co-host Ian Crossland greeting James O'Keefe, noting it had been about a year and a half since his last appearance. Tim Pool then introduced the breaking story about Project Veritas Action filing a lawsuit against O'Keefe Media Group and two former employees, alleging O'Keefe breached contracts and put his own interests ahead of the organization. James O'Keefe responded with an extensive monologue detailing his 15-20 years of investigative journalism work, including his founding of Project Veritas while on federal probation after being falsely accused by the FBI in 2010. He recounted numerous legal battles, including being sued by Planned Parenthood, recording with ACORN, facing criminal grand jury subpoenas in New Hampshire, and being chased down Interstate 80 by a teacher's union official. O'Keefe expressed feeling liberated after being pushed out of the organization he created, comparing his situation to Steve Jobs being fired from Apple. He revealed he learned of the lawsuit when Will Sumner from the Daily Beast called his phone. The discussion focused on the complexities of 501c3 organizations run by boards and how O'Keefe had run Project Veritas as if he owned it despite not having ownership. He announced having 1,100 citizen journalists on a CRM and expressed excitement about his new direction while choosing to take the high road.

TL;DR

  • →Project Veritas Action filed a lawsuit against James O'Keefe, O'Keefe Media Group, and two former employees alleging breach of contracts and that O'Keefe put his own interests ahead of the organization
  • →James O'Keefe revealed he learned of the lawsuit when Will Sumner from the Daily Beast called his phone, describing it as unexpected contact
  • →O'Keefe shared his extensive history including founding Project Veritas while on federal probation, facing legal challenges with Planned Parenthood, ACORN, and multiple defamation lawsuits
  • →The discussion centered on the complexities of 501c3 organizations governed by boards versus traditional ownership structures
  • →O'Keefe expressed feeling liberated and inspired despite the legal battle, announcing he has 1,100 citizen journalists in his new network
  • →The episode examined the ongoing conflict between O'Keefe and his former organization over alleged proprietary work and intellectual property

Key Moments

  • 0:00
    Opening and Guest Introduction
    Ian Crossland welcomes James O'Keefe back to the show after approximately a year and a half
  • 4:42
    Lawsuit Announcement
    Tim Pool introduces the breaking story about Project Veritas suing James O'Keefe and former employees
  • 6:13
    James O'Keefe's Response
    O'Keefe delivers an extensive monologue about his 15-20 year history of investigative journalism
  • 9:11
    Liberation and New Direction
    O'Keefe discusses feeling free and liberated, comparing his situation to Steve Jobs after Apple
  • 10:51
    Lawsuit Discovery
    O'Keefe reveals he learned of the lawsuit from a Daily Beast reporter calling his phone
  • 11:00
    Board Dynamics Discussion
    Conversation shifts to understanding 501c3 board structures and governance issues

Notable Quotes

“Project Veritas founder allegedly ran amok, put his own interests ahead of the outlet. Former CEO and founder of Project Veritas, James O'Keefe, has been sued by his former outlet.”

— Tim Pool · opening segment introducing the lawsuit story

“I did the Acorn story with Andrew Breitbart and Hannah Giles. They sued me for recording in Maryland. I had to raise money to pay lawyers. I was arrested by the FBI in January of 2010, falsely accused.”

— James O'Keefe · monologue about his investigative journalism history

“After Jobs was fired from Apple he said that was one of the most creative periods of my life. I didn't have the weights that buried me down. In many ways this is a blessing so I feel liberated.”

— James O'Keefe · comparing his situation to Steve Jobs' experience

“I've taken a lot of arrows. I never thought I'd be taking them in the back. It just feels different when the arrows come from the people that are ostensibly supposed to be your allies.”

— James O'Keefe · emotional reflection on the lawsuit

“Hi everyone, Ian Crossland here. Happy to be here. James, good to see you, my man. Great to see you.”

— Ian Crossland · opening welcome

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