Campaigns Pay Influencers Up to $21,500 for Undisclosed Political Endorsements
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 29
Campaigns Pay Influencers Up to $21,500 for Undisclosed Political Endorsements
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 29
Summary
$21,500 from Tom Steyer’s campaign went to left-wing influencer Josh Greene, records show, as he praised candidates online without always telling followers he was being paid.
At least seven politicians or allied groups paid Greene in the current cycle; after criticizing Steyer in February, he backed him in May as “the most progressive viable candidate in the race.”
$15,500 also went from Katie Porter’s campaign to influencer Max Dobrofsky, while another creator promoted Haley Stevens in Michigan using shifting personal profiles and no clear payment disclosure.
Campaigns are increasingly buying influencer support because it reaches phone-first voters cheaply, turning social endorsements into a lower-cost alternative to traditional political advertising.