upper waypoint

Corporate and Foreign Interests Pay Pro-Trump Social Media Stars to Influence the President

MAGA influencers are making up a new class of lobbyists as foreign and corporate interests pay them to influence Washington and the public.
President Donald Trump's official TikTok account is seen on a smartphone screen in this illustration taken in Reno, Nev. on Dec. 28, 2024.  (Photo by Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

For decades, paid lobbyists have worked to sway politicians into voting their way on legislation. But now young, conservative social media creators are exerting their own influence, largely without regulation or oversight. Scott and Marisa are joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Maggie Severns to discuss how corporate and foreign interests are paying pro-Trump social media influencers to promote their political causes.

Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox.

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by