Influencers reportedly paid to smear Kamala Harris as part of organised campaign

Around the time Kamala Harris assumed the top position on the Democratic presidential ticket, a group of social media influencers was reportedly recruited and paid tens of thousands of dollars to launch a smear campaign against her, according to recent reports.

In late July, influencers promoting conservative messages in favor of Donald Trump or against President Joe Biden received an email titled "War Room – Kamala Messaging."

This email allegedly instructed them to post derogatory sexual comments about Harris, in exchange for large payments via Zelle.

A Zoom call was organised by an individual identifying as "James Bacon," but participants kept their cameras off and remained anonymous.

However, one participant recognised former Republican Congressman George Santos, who reportedly protested against making sexual allegations about Harris and left the call.

Santos later confirmed to The Independent that he joined the call out of curiosity but objected to the proposed lewd comments, calling the messaging “disgusting and unbecoming of the political process.”

The group also encouraged influencers to target figures like Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing Trump’s New York trial, and to accuse the Biden administration of weaponising the government against conservatives.

Zelle receipts reviewed by Semafor confirmed some influencers received up to $20,000 for their work.

Though it remains unclear who is behind the campaign, some participants claimed the funding came from an unnamed wealthy American