The WSJ is reporting that Michael Bloomberg is paying “hundreds of workers in California” to say nice things about Bloomberg on social media as well as texting all of their friends about the candidate:

Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign is hiring hundreds of workers in California to post regularly on their personal social-media accounts in support of the candidate and send text messages to their friends about him.https://t.co/TpZcB5JLms — Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) February 19, 2020

According to the report, they pay is $2500/month. From the WSJ:

To staff the effort, the campaign is hiring more than 500 “deputy digital organizers” to work 20 to 30 hours a week and receive $2,500 a month, the documents show. In exchange, those workers are expected to promote Mr. Bloomberg to everyone in their phones’ contacts by text each week and make social-media posts supporting him daily, the documents show. “The Fight for Equal Rights Has Been One of the Great Fights of Mike’s Life,” reads one such suggested prompt regarding Mr. Bloomberg’s early support for same-sex marriage.

Where can we apply?

Dear @MikeBloomberg, I'm a Thought Leader, Brand Ambassador, and Meme Creator. I have my price — and it's cheaper than you might think! DM me for my Venmo. ??? — jon gabriel (@exjon) February 19, 2020

Anyway, the term for this that we’d love to hear in tonight’s debate is “astroturfing”:

Best. Election. EVER:

so sick of Bloomberg buying his way in. he skipped ahead in line using his money and this, if true is complete BS ? https://t.co/1ReVomnJXs — Jennifer Hale (@jhaletweets) February 19, 2020

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