A new wave of political advertising has emerged, raising alarms about misinformation ahead of the upcoming election. A political group called Progress 2028, reportedly backed by billionaire Elon Musk, has created misleading Facebook ads that falsely represent Vice President Kamala Harris’s policy positions. These deceptive ads are not just an oversight; they are part of a calculated strategy that could mislead voters in crucial swing states.
Misleading Claims in Facebook Ads
The ads, which appear to come from Harris’s campaign, make several unsubstantiated claims about her policies. Among the false assertions are allegations that Harris intends to implement a mandatory gun-buyback program and provide Medicare benefits and drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants. Additionally, one ad claims that she aims to ban fracking, a position she does not support. Collectively, these ads have reached millions, capitalizing on the confusion surrounding political messages as Election Day approaches.
Behind the Misinformation
While the ads are labeled as “paid for by Progress 2028,” the group itself has no affiliation with Harris. Funded by Building America’s Future—a dark money group associated with Musk—these ads are part of an extensive $100 million campaign aimed at re-electing former President Donald Trump, as noted by campaign finance records.
Experts emphasize that although the First Amendment protects political speech, including falsehoods, the potential impact of these misleading ads is significant. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, states, “The tactic isn’t new, but social media has vastly increased the reach and impact of such misleading strategies.”
The Role of Meta and Advertising Transparency
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has a public ad library where these misleading ads can be viewed. As of now, Progress 2028 has posted 13 ads, amassing 8.7 million impressions. While the ads don’t appear to violate Meta’s policies—primarily focused on transparency in ad funding—critics argue that this is not enough. Robert Weissman, co-president of the nonprofit watchdog group Public Citizen, has called for Meta to remove these ads, stating, “Meta is 100 percent responsible for permitting this deception.”
In contrast, Meta’s spokesman Ryan Daniels mentioned that the platform’s Ad Library provides a level of transparency unmatched by other platforms. However, many experts contend that the platform’s guidelines fail to adequately address the ramifications of deceptive advertising.
Tactics of Deception and the Need for Accountability
Progress 2028 has also employed text messages to further spread false claims about Harris, directing recipients to a website that misrepresents its intentions. This website suggests that sweeping reforms will be enacted once Harris takes office, making unverified assertions about her policy positions.
Weissman notes that while mischaracterizing a candidate’s stances is a common political strategy, presenting outright lies as legitimate claims goes beyond mere distortion. “They seem real, and the only way to recognize they are not is if you are a highly informed voter,” he stated.
