Prediction Market Kalshi Removes Influencer Posts Spreading LA Election Fraud Claims
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, asked paid political influencers to delete social media posts that promoted election fraud conspiracy theories about the Los Angeles mayoral election while promoting Kalshi odds. The posts, which went viral among millions of followers, claimed the election was being stolen from candidate Spencer Pratt based on patterns in mail-in ballot counting. The incident highlights concerns about prediction markets using paid influencers to amplify election misinformation for profit.
Kalshi requested removal of posts from paid influencers including Gunther Eagleman (1.7 million followers), Matt Van Swol, and others who claimed the Los Angeles mayoral election was being stolen from Spencer Pratt, with posts suggesting suspicious patterns in late-arriving mail-in ballots. These posts were labeled as paid partnerships with Kalshi and promoted the platform's prediction market odds while sowing doubt about election integrity. Kalshi stated the posts violated its affiliate marketing policies. The incident reflects a broader pattern where prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket have enlisted hundreds of paid influencers to promote odds on political outcomes, but some influencers have used these partnerships to amplify election fraud conspiracy theories. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office criticized prediction markets for sponsoring claims that undermine election confidence, calling such profit-driven election misinformation "sick."
What's missing
The article does not specify whether Kalshi has established clear content policies or vetting procedures for paid influencers prior to this incident, nor does it detail what specific affiliate marketing policy violations were cited. Additionally, the article does not report whether Polymarket took similar action regarding its paid influencers who made comparable claims, despite a Polymarket spokesperson declining to comment.
What different sources said
- SemaforCenter
Kalshi asks paid influencers to delete posts sowing doubts over LA mayoral election
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