We know media bias exists. We see it everywhere. It’s entirely another matter to experience media bias, firsthand.
Case in point, the Keith Ellison/Feeding Our Future scandal. Feeding Our Future (FOF) was a small Minnesota nonprofit that went on to steal $250 million in taxpayer money meant to feed children from low-income families. The program was overseen by the state Dept. of Education (MDE).
Keith Ellison is the state’s Attorney General (MN AG). As AG, Ellison’s office represents all state agencies in litigation.
Keith Ellison’s son, Jeremiah Ellison, is a member of the Minneapolis City Council.
A timeline to illustrate the events.
April 2020–fraud begins in the free-food program.
November 2020–FOF sues MDE in state court. Ellison’s office represents MDE.
November 2, 2021–Jeremiah re-elected to MPLS city council.
December 9, 2021–Keith Ellison hosts two future FOF criminal defendants and others related to FOF for a meeting in his office. AG Ellison pledges his support for FOF in their fight against his law client.
December 20, 2021–K. and J. Ellison receive $20,000 in campaign donations from 12/9/21 meeting attendees and others related to FOF.
January 20, 2022–200 federal agents execute dozens of search warrants against FOF.
September 20, 2022–First batch of 47 indictments in FOF case filed by U.S. DOJ.
September 26, 2022–MN AG press release, “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office have been deeply involved for two years in holding Feeding Our Future accountable.”
November 2022–Keith Ellison re-elected as AG.
April-June 2024–First FOF courtroom trial. 5 convicted, 2 acquitted.
January 15, 2025–Exhibit list for second FOF trial filed for defendant Aimee Bock. Item 710 is an audio recording of the 12/9/21 Keith Ellison FOF meeting.
February 3-March 19, 2025–Second FOF courtroom trial, 2 convicted on all charges (Aimee Bock and Salim Said). Said is the first voice heard on the 12/9/21 recording. He donated to J. Ellison. Recording not introduced at trial.
April 9, 2025–Full recording of 12/9/2021 Keith Ellison/FOF meeting published by Center of the American Experiment. Roadmap to the tape, including timestamps, published.
April 10, 2025–Fox 9-TV airs a story about the recording within a “Republicans pounce” framing.
April 11, 2025–MN AG’s office issues statement blaming Center for the American Experiment for the controversy. Stories broadcast by KARE-11 (NBC) and WCCO-4 (CBS). St. Paul Pioneer Press publishes a lengthy article.
And that’s it, so far. Neither the state’s largest newspaper (Minnesota Star Tribune), the local ABC affiliate, nor the NPR affiliate has done anything on the story involving the state’s highest-ranking law enforcement officer.
