Who Owns Snopes? Fact-Checking Site Sparks Debate After Congresswoman’s Viral “Listen to Snopes” Tweet

Snopes, a prominent fact-checking organization long regarded as a cornerstone of online misinformation detection, has unexpectedly become the focus of public scrutiny—not for debunking a hoax, but for its own involvement in a heated national issue.

The platform began trending this week after U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs invoked a Snopes report in a viral post directed at House Speaker Mike Johnson, criticizing his role in drastically reducing federal food assistance funding.

“Don’t take it from me, listen to Snopes! Speaker Johnson signed a bill to cut $186 billion from SNAP. And again, it’s HIS party that won’t help millions of Americans put food on the table this month,” Jacobs wrote on X.

Don’t take it from me, listen to Snopes! Speaker Johnson signed a bill to cut $186 billion from SNAP. And again, it’s HIS party that won’t help millions of Americans put food on the table this month. https://t.co/sUsIOxRLuT

— Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (@RepSaraJacobs) November 2, 2025

Her statement drew attention not only to the SNAP budget dispute but also to renewed curiosity about who controls Snopes. Despite years of turbulence, the site—still operating under David Mikkelson’s leadership—continues to function with a compact editorial team responsible for evaluating viral claims and misinformation. The company also collaborates with major platforms, including Facebook, to flag false or misleading narratives circulating online.

Past Ownership Dispute

Snopes’ internal tensions date back to 2017, when a contentious legal battle erupted between Mikkelson and Proper Media, the digital firm that managed its advertising operations. Following Mikkelson’s divorce, his former wife Barbara Mikkelson sold her 50% ownership to five individuals tied to Proper Media.

The dispute revolved around whether Proper Media or its shareholders legally possessed the remaining half of the company. Mikkelson accused Proper Media of withholding ad revenue and ceasing operational funding, prompting him to launch a crowdfunding campaign that garnered over $600,000, though it ultimately failed to resolve the financial strain.

The SNAP Report and Political Fallout

Jacobs’ viral post referenced a recent Snopes analysis confirming that Speaker Johnson had endorsed legislation projected to reduce the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $186 billion. The report, tied to growing concern over the ongoing government shutdown, verified claims circulating on social media regarding Johnson’s involvement.

According to Snopes, the Louisiana Republican supported President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July 2025. The outlet cited estimates from the Congressional Budget Office indicating that the measure would yield roughly $186 billion in SNAP reductions over a decade—about one-third of which would stem from stricter work requirements.

Don’t take it from me, listen to Snopes! Speaker Johnson signed a bill to cut $186 billion from SNAP. And again, it’s HIS party that won’t help millions of Americans put food on the table this month. https://t.co/sUsIOxRLuT

— Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (@RepSaraJacobs) November 2, 2025

Snopes’ Renewed Relevance

Years after its internal corporate struggles, Snopes once again finds itself at the center of a broader national debate. Its recent resurgence underscores how even organizations devoted to verifying truth can inadvertently become subjects within the polarized realm of American politics.

Despite the renewed spotlight, Snopes continues to uphold its mission of combating misinformation, illustrating the paradox of a fact-checker that, in revealing truths, occasionally becomes part of the story itself.

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