Creators Paid In Smear Campaign Against Kamala Harris

CREATOR NEWSLETTER

Issue #271 | September 10, 2024

On Sept. 8, Semafor broke some wild news, sharing that a mysterious “network,” which operated with Zoom calls and Zelle payments, paid influencers to bolster “sexual smears” of Vice President Kamala Harris. So far, there’s no evidence clarifying what the mystery network is and who is funding it.

This smear campaign took place in July, when Democrats were vying for Harris’ presidential nomination. Along with being instructed to pedal more typical Republican talking points, the influencers were explicitly told to promote “lurid sexual jibes” aimed at Harris.

Anonymous sources told Semafor that none of the influencers in the scheme shared their identities, and instead, they joined video calls anonymously with their cameras off. The only person who was publicly identified was the one and only Long Island queen George Santos, who allegedly turned his camera on to urge the group not to pursue the “sexual allegations” and comments against Harris (you know it’s bad when even George Santos draws the line).

Creators are an inextricable part of the political landscape right now — whether it’s commentators being paid by Russian operatives to make pro-Trump content (read more about that here), entrepreneurial teens making bank with TikTok Live Harris v. Trump debates (read more about that here), or Harris inviting a bunch of creators to a meme-y New York Fashion Week event featuring a “grab them by the…” claw machine and a couch with a “property of JD Vance” sign (see here).

As we gear up for the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump tonight, creators are the pulse of what little remains of American civic engagement. These days, a meme reaches more voters than NBC’s Nightly News.

– Grace Stanley, Deputy Editor

PERSONALITIES

Brandon Farris Has Figured Out YouTube

With over a decade on the platform, YouTuber Brandon Farris has learned to stick to what works. 

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

→ READ THE FULL STORY

IN THE BIZ

PLATFORMS

YouTube Announces Deepfake Prevention Tools For Creators

YouTube is targeting the growing threat of AI impersonation on the platform. 

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

PLATFORMS

Roblox Announces Updated Revenue Sharing Model and Generative AI Tool For Creators

‘We’re setting the groundwork for a more expansive range of content on the platform.’

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

JOB BOARD

YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT

This week, it’s the season 2 finale of the Reactorverse Podcast with a special interview! Host Eric Rodriguez, aka Nerd Chronic, sits down with Passionfruit Editorial Director Drew Grant to reflect on the show’s journey and the valuable insights gained from interviewing others in the reaction space.

Be sure to subscribe to the Passionfruit YouTube channel so you don’t miss an episode! If you’d prefer to listen in audio form, we also have a podcast feed.

Copyright © 2024 Passionfruit, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you signed up to get the latest tips, tricks,
and trends in the creator economy from Passionfruit.

Have an idea for our next big story or want to get featured? Email us at tips@passionfru.it

Don’t want to hear from us anymore?
Click here to unsubscribe 

To view in your browser click here 

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • ♫ SXSW Music, TikTok Updates, and More

    ♫ SXSW Music, TikTok Updates, and More

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #119 | March 23, 2023 Today, as Congress and President Joe Biden are considering a potential ban on TikTok, TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew testified in favor of the app’s safety and security, proposing a plan called “Project Texas” designed to protect U.S. data. The congressional hearing focused on politicians’ concerns regarding…

    By

    Grace Stanley

  • 🏛️ TikTok’s Looming Congressional Battle

    🏛️ TikTok’s Looming Congressional Battle

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #118 | March 21, 2023 This Thursday, TikTok’s CEO will be testifying in front of Congress amid a battle with the U.S. government over the platform’s privacy and security. Meanwhile, TikTokers are debating the future of a potential ban, and some are even being sent by TikTok to Washington D.C. to…

    By

    Grace Stanley

  • 🔥 From ‘Too Hot Handle’ to TikTok, Harry Jowsey Describes His Career Evolution

    🔥 From ‘Too Hot Handle’ to TikTok, Harry Jowsey Describes His Career Evolution

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue #117 | Mar. 16, 2023 This weekend at South by Southwest (SXSW), creators took center stage in many events, parties, and panels—including at a content creators meet-up hosted by 25-year-old Harry Jowsey, a creator with over 9.1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and a former reality TV star known for…

    By

    Grace Stanley