US election sabotage? Musk-linked group behind anti-Harris disinformation, 'Progress 2028' manifesto: Report
kamala harris
A controversial "Progress 2028" manifesto, posing as a progressive platform from Vice President Kamala Harris, has been exposed as a misleading fake document reportedly funded by conservative dark money groups with links to Elon Musk, according to a report from the watchdog group Open Secrets.
What is Progress 2028?
Progress 2028, which presents itself as a liberal vision for America, is allegedly part of an initiative by Building America's Future, a conservative dark money network which reportedly has backing from Musk.
The faux manifesto has been amplified by targeted Facebook ads distorting Harris's policy views on issues such as immigration, healthcare, and gun control.
Open Secrets, as per AFP, describes the project as a calculated effort to mislead and potentially alienate Democratic voters.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
Anna Massoglia, a researcher with Open Secrets, remarked that the initiative "is really trying to undermine Harris by spreading divisive messages, misleading narratives under the guise of being an ally of Harris".
Examples of this strategy include claims that Harris supports a mandatory nationwide gun buyback, taxpayer-funded healthcare for "undocumented immigrants," and allowing minors to access gender-affirming care without "parental intervention" — none of which align with Harris's official policies for the 2024 election.
Voter suppression
In addition to misleading domestic audiences, the Progress 2028 campaign is also involved in targeting specific voter groups with conflicting messages, said the group.
Facebook ads that say "Drop a comment to thank Kamala," and provide a link to the Progress 2028 website reportedly promote Harris as pro-Israel to Jewish voters while presenting her as anti-Israel to Arab American voters. This tactic, as per the report could sway opinions in states with pivotal Arab American and Jewish demographics, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Also read |'So much room for error': Netizens react as US election worker collects ballots from dropbox
Google data shows that the ads were paid for by the Future Coalition PAC, which, as per the Federal Election Commission, has received millions in funding from Building America's Future.
James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, in a conversation with AFP, referred to this tactic as a form of "voter suppression."
"When the same group is doing ads to two different constituencies with contradictory messaging, it's disinformation," he said.
According to the report, Progress 2028's ads remain active on Meta's platform because they don't meet the company's criteria for its inauthentic behaviour policy, said Meta in a statement to US Media.
(With inputs from agencies)
