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DemocraticCalifornia gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyerare both under accusations they improperly paid social media influencers to boost their bids — but another front in the social media wars between the two around fake accounts is also underway, a report claims.
More than 3,000 fake accounts across Instagram, X and Facebook are boosting former Health and Human Services secretary Becerra whileattacking billionaire Steyer, according to an analysis by Cyabra, an AI-powered disinformation security company. It’s used by clients like NATO and the US Department of State,its websitesaid.
The analysis, which was shared with The Post, alleges a “coordinated cross-platform effort to amplify negative narratives and increase online visibility” — though it notably doesn’t draw any conclusions about who may be controlling the accounts and why.
The alleged fake accounts’ activity drove more than a million views and around 42,000 engagements, per the report.
The accounts focused on pro-Becerra messaging that tried to create a perception of grassroots support, the report alleged. Many focused on criticizing Steyer, such ashis payment to influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina.
One account, for instance,shared a Breitbart article on Steyer’s “extremely radical” immigration platform. The account joined X October 22, but is based in Austria.
The Steyer post seemed out of the blue for the Austraia-based account, however, as it mostly has focused on posting on European news in German language.
Anotheraccountwith no profile picture or cover image claimed, in response to a tweet on the governor’s race’s betting odds, that “Steyer wants to buy the Presidency. He tried & failed before.” That April 2026 tweet seemed to be an error as the billionaire — who did run for president in 2020 — is now running for the governorship.
The account, which says it’s based in D.C. and joined December 2016, has been posting or reposting anti-Trump and pro-Democratic content on a consistent basis.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
