Gambling giant forces paid influencers to delete LA mayor race posts as election interference claims explode

A major prediction market company ordered several paid social media influencers to remove posts questioning the integrity of the Los Angeles mayoral election after the messages sparked controversy and fueled claims of election interference online.

Kalshi confirmed that it requested the removal of posts from some affiliated influencers after they shared content suggesting the race was being manipulated while simultaneously promoting betting odds on the election through paid partnerships, Semafor reported.

The controversy emerged after several right-wing influencers posted messages on X expressing skepticism about vote counting in the race between reality television personality Spencer Pratt and Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman for second place.

Among the most widely viewed posts were messages from influencer Gunther Eagleman, who has more than 1.7 million followers on X. Eagleman questioned whether California officials were attempting to block Pratt from advancing in the race and suggested the election was being “stolen” from the former reality TV star.

The posts gained significant traction online and were labeled as paid partnerships promoting Kalshi’s election prediction markets, where users can trade on the outcomes of political contests.

Other influencers also raised concerns about late-arriving mail ballots and vote counting trends while sharing prediction market odds. Some of those posts referenced odds from Kalshi, while others promoted competing prediction platform Polymarket.

As scrutiny intensified, Kalshi stepped in and demanded that certain posts be removed, according to statements provided to Semafor.

“We’ve asked these to be taken down, as they violate our affiliate marketing policies,” Kalshi spokesperson Dani Lever said.

Semafor said it later reviewed the accounts and the posts identified by the company had reportedly been deleted.

The episode highlights growing questions surrounding the role of prediction markets in political discourse. Companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket have increasingly relied on networks of paid influencers to publicize betting odds and attract users to their platforms.

Critics have argued that such arrangements can blur the line between political commentary and paid advertising, particularly when influencers make allegations about election administration.

The controversy comes as election integrity remains a highly charged issue in American politics, with claims of fraud or manipulation frequently spreading across social media platforms despite a lack of evidence.

Several influencers involved in the controversy also did not immediately respond to questions about their posts or whether users who wagered on election outcomes should receive refunds if they genuinely believed the results were illegitimate, according to Semafor.

“These are internal policies to guide our affiliates and partners, and they include standards around the promotion of and marketing of Kalshi markets on elections,” Lever told The Post.

The California Post has reached out to Polymarket for comment.

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