Lawmakers push disclosure bill as foreign money fuels MAGA influencer lobbying

Recent reporting indicates that foreign governments are channeling funds to MAGA-aligned social media personalities, who in turn run lobbying campaigns aimed at U.S. cabinet officials. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, previously uninterested, now backs legislation to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act with a Foreign Propaganda Registration Act that would require influencers to disclose any foreign government compensation for political commentary.

She enjoys bipartisan support from Democrats Jared Moskowitz and Vicente Gonzalez and Republican Derrick Van Orden, and expects Speaker Mike Johnson may be open to the proposal, though she is prepared to file a discharge petition to force a floor vote. Luna disclosed that she has seen contracts worth millions and that many high-profile influencers have been approached, though she declined to identify them. The effort follows allegations that influencers have promoted positions tied to foreign interests, including claims involving JD Vance, Tucker Carlson and a disputed Ukraine-funded trip by Laura Loomer.

Alex Bruesewitz, close to the Trump circle, has also warned about undisclosed foreign-paid pressure campaigns targeting senior officials. The proposed rule aims to increase transparency about foreign-sponsored content online.