In a shocking revelation, Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has been caught running Google search ads with fabricated headlines, designed to deceive voters into believing she is receiving more favorable media coverage than she actually is. According to a report from Axios, the Harris campaign has been buying these ads under the guise of reputable news outlets, creating the false impression that major media organizations are praising Harris and her policies.

The ads, which were discovered on the Harris for President Google Ads Center, appear to be legitimate news articles but feature headlines that do not exist in reality. For instance, one ad falsely attributed to the UK Independent reads, “VP Harris Protects Democracy – Trump Defends Jan 6 Comments.” This headline, like others, is completely fabricated and misleading, as the Independent did not publish such an article.

Among the media outlets whose brands were exploited in this manner are NPR, the Associated Press, The Guardian, USA Today, PBS, CNN, CBS News, and Time. These organizations were unaware that their names were being used to promote Harris’s campaign through deceptive practices. One such ad falsely attributed to NPR claimed, “Harris Will Lower Health Costs,” while another falsely attributed to The Guardian read, “VP Harris Fights Abortion Bans – Harris Defends Repro Freedom.”

A spokesperson from The Guardian expressed concern over the misuse of their brand, stating, “While we understand why an organization might wish to align itself with the Guardian’s trusted brand, we need to ensure it is being used appropriately and with our permission. We’ll be reaching out to Google for more information about this practice.”

This revelation has raised serious ethical concerns about the Harris campaign, with critics accusing it of astroturfing—creating the illusion of widespread support through artificial means. The Trump-Vance campaign, by contrast, has not engaged in similar practices, further highlighting the controversy surrounding Harris’s tactics.

The incident has also prompted questions about the role of tech giants like Google in regulating political ads and ensuring that misleading content is not disseminated to voters. As the fallout from this scandal continues, the Harris campaign may face increased scrutiny over its campaign practices and the integrity of its messaging strategy.