Story perspectives

California AG Probes Undisclosed Influencer Payments by Gubernatorial Candidates

5/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office is reviewing complaints that gubernatorial candidates paid influencers without disclosure.
A loophole between the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Elections Commission lets campaigns hide influencer payments.
California’s 2023 law requires paid creators to disclose political sponsorships, overseen by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
The Commission opened a probe after a Steyer memo showed creators were paid $10 per video with view-count bonuses.

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Story summary

Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office is reviewing complaints that gubernatorial candidates paid influencers without disclosure.
A loophole between the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Elections Commission lets campaigns hide influencer payments.
California’s 2023 law requires paid creators to disclose political sponsorships, overseen by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
The Commission opened a probe after a Steyer memo showed creators were paid $10 per video with view-count bonuses.