Mark Takano Introduces Bill to Mandate Influencer Payment Disclosure

Political campaigns from both major U.S. parties are increasingly paying social media influencers to endorse candidates and attack opponents, often without disclosing these payments to viewers. A New York Times investigation revealed that influencers, including Josh Greene and Carlos Eduardo Espina, received significant sums from candidates and super PACs, such as Tom Steyer and Katie Porter, to produce promotional content.

Some campaigns use user-generated content platforms like SideShift to deploy networks of low-profile creators to simulate organic viral support. While California requires disclosure for state races, federal regulations remain largely absent. This legal gray area allows campaigns to obscure payments through layers of vendors, including dark money groups like Majority Forward, which offered payments to influencers to post about cost-of-living issues.

In response, Mark Takano, a Representative from California, introduced legislation in June to mandate clear disclosure for any paid political social media content. The bill aims to prevent the distortion of authentic political discourse by ensuring viewers know when content is paid for by a political actor.