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James O'Keefe is an American political activist and journalist known for his undercover investigations. He was born on June 28, 1984, in New Jersey. He gained prominence through founding Project Veritas, a nonprofit organization he established in 2010, which aimed to expose what he saw as corruption, fraud, and dishonesty in various institutions, often targeting progressive and Democratic entities. His methods typically involve secretly recorded videos, which have stirred both acclaim and controversy due to their selective editing and deceptive tactics.
O'Keefe first rose to national attention with his 2009 videos of ACORN workers, which contributed to the organization's eventual collapse. Other notable investigations include stings on NPR, Planned Parenthood, and political campaigns, often leading to resignations, policy changes, or legal scrutiny. His approach has drawn criticism for lacking journalistic ethics, with detractors pointing to incidents like his guilty plea in 2010 for entering a senator's office under false pretenses and settlements over misleading claims, such as a 2020 voter fraud case.
In early 2023, O'Keefe left Project Veritas after disputes with its board over his spending and management style, which included allegations of using donor funds for personal luxuries. He then founded the O'Keefe Media Group (OMG), focusing on citizen journalism and continuing his investigative work. A graduate of Rutgers University with a philosophy degree, O'Keefe has authored books like Breakthrough and American Pravda, and has been both praised as a truth-seeker by supporters and criticized as a provocateur by opponents. Today, he remains a polarizing figure in media and politics.