James Edward O'Keefe III (born June 28, 1984) is an American political activist and founder of Project Veritas, a far-right activist group known for producing deceptively edited undercover videos aimed at mainstream media organizations and progressive groups. His videos often involve secretly recorded encounters intended to expose alleged abusive or illegal behavior, though they have been criticized for selective editing that misrepresents context
. O'Keefe first gained national attention in 2009 with his videos targeting ACORN, which led to significant political fallout including congressional defunding of the group. He has also released undercover videos involving NPR executives, Planned Parenthood, and other entities, often sparking resignations and investigations
. He has been involved in several controversies, including a 2010 misdemeanor guilty plea for entering a federal office under false pretenses. O'Keefe served as chairman of Project Veritas until February 2023, when he was fired and subsequently founded a new media company, O'Keefe Media Group, continuing his style of investigative activism
. O'Keefe is recognized for his impact on conservative activism and elections, with his investigations credited with influencing legislation, congressional inquiries, and election outcomes. He is also an author of several books on his investigative work and journalism
. In summary, James O'Keefe is a conservative activist and undercover journalist known for his controversial sting operations and founding Project Veritas, with a significant role in U.S. political media activism over the past decade
