Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) called for all social media influencers paid by the Israeli government—or any foreign government—to register as foreign agents under FARA.
Recent explosive findings by Nick Cleveland-Stout for Responsible Statecraft have uncovered that American influencers are receiving payments up to $7,000 per post for promoting Israeli state narratives on social media platforms.
Key Points
The investigation into the “Esther Project,” as described by Cleveland-Stout, revealed that it was coordinated through a US-based public relations company, Bridge Partners, and was executed in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This project reportedly set aside over half a million dollars for influencer payments from June to September 2025, aiming to subtly influence American public opinion and policy through paid social content, without openly disclosing its foreign sponsorship.
Cleveland-Stout reports:
During a meeting centered on leveraging pro-Israel media momentum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to a group of Israeli influencers, emphasizing the need to “fight back” using these influencers. ‘You should connect with them if possible; their role is vital,’ he noted.
The financial benefits of being paid by Israel to post on social media are significant. New, previously undisclosed documents show that influencers might be earning around $7,000 for each post on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to advocate for Israel.
Citing the legal backbone behind her demand, MTG quoted the Foreign Agents Registration Act:
“Foreign governments routinely engage in efforts to influence our domestic and foreign policies, legislation, democratic processes, and public opinion. These governments sometimes exert this influence by employing lobbyists, public relations professionals, prominent businesspeople, or former U.S. government officials on their behalf. Such efforts are legal—if they are transparent. Originally enacted in 1938, the Foreign Agents Registration Act—known as FARA—helps the American people and their elected officials understand who is really behind such influence activity. The statute requires persons working on behalf of foreign governments or other foreign principals (including Americans) to disclose their relationships to foreign principals and information about their activities. Agents who fail to register are violating federal law, and they can be prosecuted if their failure is deliberate.”
Greene emphasized that her position is not directed at any particular group, but is strictly about legal compliance and transparency for foreign-influenced political messaging in the United States.
This story highlights the growing scrutiny over covert foreign influence on US digital platforms and the legal requirements aimed at ensuring transparency for American audiences.
