Kamala Harris’ campaign team is editing news headlines in her favor — without outlets’ knowledge: report

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign team has been silently editing news headlines in Google search results to make it seem like major news outlets are on her side, according to a report.

The altered headlines — all paired with a “Paid for by Harris for President” banner — were changed without the news outlets’ knowledge, Axios reported Tuesday.

Nearly a dozen publishers were swept up in the faux headline campaign, including major companies like the Guardian, Reuters, CBS News, the Associated Press and PBS.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Sheraton hotel, in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 10, 2024
Kamala Harris’ campaign team has been altering headlines to appear more in her favor, according to a report.POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Kamala Harris ads
The altered headlines — all paired with a “Paid for by Harris for President” banner — were changed without the news outlets’ knowledge, Axios reported Tuesday.Google Ads transparency

Even smaller publications like North Dakota’s WDay Radio also saw their headlines changed.

The ads include links to real articles from news outlets, but the headlines and descriptive text had been edited to cast a supportive light on the 59-year-old presidential hopeful.

Kamala Harris headlines
The outlets claimed they did not know their stories were affected by the campaign.Google Ads transparency
Kamala Harris headlines
The headlines also called out Republican nominee Donald Trump.Google Ads transparency

For example, one ad that ran alongside an article from the Guardian shows a headline that reads “VP Harris Fights Abortion Bans – Harris Defends Repro Freedom” and includes supporting text underneath the headline that reads, “VP Harris is a champion for reproductive freedom and will stop Trump’s abortion bans.”

Another linking to an NPR story reads, “Harris Will Lower Health Costs,” with supporting text that says, “Kamala Harris will lower the cost of high-quality affordable health care,” Axios reported.

Spokespeople from the affected companies like CNN, USA Today and NPR — all of which have published flattering content about Harris in recent weeks — said they had no idea the companies were tied up in the campaign.

Vice President Kamala Harris interacts with supporters during a presidential campaign rally in Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 9, 2024
Nearly a dozen publishers were swept up in the faux headline campaign, including major companies like the Guardian, Reuters, CBS News, the Associated Press and PBS.Joe Rondone/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

“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,” a Guardian spokesperson said.

Though misleading, the tactic does not violate Google’s policies because the fake ads are prominently labeled as “sponsored” and “easily distinguishable from search results.”

Kamala Harris headlines
Google says the tactic does not violate its policies.Google Ads transparency

The shocking report comes as Harris is hiding from the very same press that she is desperately trying to skew in her favor.

The former California attorney general has refused to do significant interviews or news appearances since winning the presidential nomination more than three weeks ago.

The Harris campaign did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.


New York Post