Influencers Paid to Push Politicians | Albany News

Influencers are getting paid to push political candidates—and it’s a growing problem. In California, Shaka Smith openly disclosed he was paid to endorse Tom Steyer, setting a precedent in a state that’s already requiring disclosure (and now considering fines up to $5,000 per violation). This isn’t new—Snooki was paid in 2022, and Texas influencers backed an attorney general facing impeachment, often without clear disclosure. Voters need to know if endorsements are genuine or just ads. With states like Texas and New York moving toward stricter rules, the push for transparency is gaining momentum—even as federal regulations lag behind. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c68ab1e43b6da592