Social Media Post Falsely Alleges Current "Confederate Government" Receives California Tax Revenue

A recent social media post by Matthew Lewis, operating under the handle @mateosfo and known for his critical commentary on urban policy and other topics, has drawn attention for its historically inaccurate claims. The tweet, published on July 18, 2025, asserted that "California needs to take action to end the practice of its residents sending tax revenues to fund our enemies in the traitorous Confederate government." The post concluded with a stark declaration: "The U.S. was a great idea. But it didn't work out.

The core assertion within Lewis's tweet regarding a contemporary "Confederate government" receiving tax revenues is factually unfounded. The Confederate States of America, a collection of Southern states that seceded from the Union, existed solely from 1861 to 1865. Following its defeat in the American Civil War, the Confederate government ceased to operate and has not existed in any form since its dissolution in May 1865.

Historically, the Confederate States of America was never recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States government or any foreign power. Its formation was a direct result of states seceding over the issue of slavery, leading to a four-year conflict that ended with the Confederacy's military and political collapse. All states that had seceded were subsequently reintegrated into the United United States during the Reconstruction era.

Given Matthew Lewis's online persona, which often employs hyperbole and satire to make points about societal issues, the tweet is likely intended as a provocative, albeit factually incorrect, commentary on perceived political or economic divides within the United States. The statement "The U.S. was a great idea. But it didn't work out" further suggests a critical and disillusioned perspective on the current state of the nation, rather than a literal belief in the existence of a modern-day Confederate entity. The tweet serves as an example of how historical references, even when inaccurate, are used in contemporary social discourse to express strong opinions.