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The new dark money: How influencers get paid big bucks to court your vote

3 hours ago

Democracy Dies in Darkness

On TikTok, Instagram and X, freelance creators profit from the murky practice of persuading their large followings to back Trump or Harris.

Online content creators are playing a new and prominent role in both the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns. Here, posts are displayed at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

October 26, 2024 at 12:16 p.m. EDT

Political campaigns and their surrogates are pouring millions of dollars into social media influencers with scant regulatory oversight or public transparency, as they embrace a marketing tactic that has revolutionized the U.S. economy.

Online influencers who usually traffic in makeup, crocheting or parenting are earning thousands of dollars for a single TikTok or Instagram post on behalf of groups backing Vice President Kamala Harris or former president Donald Trump. Creators flooded bothparties’ conventions this summer, posting selfies with speakers, recording videos backstage and attending parties catering to social media.

    • Source: washingtonpost.com

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