Why fake political endorsements are flooding local elections in 2025
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL NEW | Oct 28, 2025, 21:07 IST
Fake political endorsements are flooding local elections as candidates use misleading ads featuring figures like Donald Trump or Joe Biden. In Miami, Joe Carollo’s mailers falsely implied Trump’s support, sparking voter confusion. Experts say AI tools and photo editing make such tactics harder to spot, spreading misinformation quickly online. Voters are urged to verify endorsements through official campaign sources to avoid being misled.
You might have noticed a wave of political ads showing big names like Donald Trump or Joe Biden next to local candidates. But not all of them are real endorsements and that’s causing a lot of confusion among voters.
A recent example comes from Miami, where mailers sent by city commissioner and mayoral candidate Joe Carollo showed photos of him with former President Donald Trump. The flyers had lines like “More than 25 years with President Trump, defending our Republican principles and values.”
At first glance, it looked like Trump was backing Carollo for mayor. But according to a statement sent to the Miami New Times by a White House official, that’s not true. “The President has not endorsed or engaged in this race,” they wrote in an email.
The mailers were sent by Carollo’s political committee, Miami First. Carollo later told Miami New Times that he wasn’t trying to make it look like an endorsement. “Nowhere does [the mailer] say anything about an endorsement,” he said. “Come on.”
Still, many voters saw the photos and assumed Trump was involved. That’s exactly the problem, these kinds of visuals can easily mislead people, especially when shared online.
Political activist Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) posted screenshots of the mailer on X (formerly Twitter), calling Carollo “woke” and saying Miami needs a “true pro-Trump candidate.” Her post got a lot of attention and comments, showing just how fast local campaign materials can spread online and shape opinions even when the information isn’t accurate.
![Political activist Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter)]()
Experts say this isn’t just happening in Miami. Across the country, local races in 2025 have seen a rise in flyers, mailers, and posts that look like endorsements from famous figures but aren’t. Sometimes it’s intentional way to gain quick attention and sometimes it’s simply misleading marketing.
In small elections where voters don’t always follow every detail, one strong image or familiar name can change how someone votes. And with social media, even a single misleading post can reach thousands of people within hours.
It’s becoming harder for voters to know what’s true. Political campaigns are using AI tools, photo editing, and targeted ads that make things look more official than they are. Some even use old photos or out-of-context quotes to give the impression that a national figure is backing them.
The best way to avoid being misled is to check the facts. If you see a flyer or a post that claims an endorsement, visit the official social media page or campaign website of the person mentioned. Most high-profile figures, including Trump, Biden, and other national leaders, publicly list their real endorsements online.
At the end of the day, every election depends on trust and when that trust gets blurred by fake or confusing endorsements, the real losers are the voters.
A recent example comes from Miami, where mailers sent by city commissioner and mayoral candidate Joe Carollo showed photos of him with former President Donald Trump. The flyers had lines like “More than 25 years with President Trump, defending our Republican principles and values.”
At first glance, it looked like Trump was backing Carollo for mayor. But according to a statement sent to the Miami New Times by a White House official, that’s not true. “The President has not endorsed or engaged in this race,” they wrote in an email.
The mailers were sent by Carollo’s political committee, Miami First. Carollo later told Miami New Times that he wasn’t trying to make it look like an endorsement. “Nowhere does [the mailer] say anything about an endorsement,” he said. “Come on.”
Still, many voters saw the photos and assumed Trump was involved. That’s exactly the problem, these kinds of visuals can easily mislead people, especially when shared online.
Political activist Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) posted screenshots of the mailer on X (formerly Twitter), calling Carollo “woke” and saying Miami needs a “true pro-Trump candidate.” Her post got a lot of attention and comments, showing just how fast local campaign materials can spread online and shape opinions even when the information isn’t accurate.
Political activist Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter)
Experts say this isn’t just happening in Miami. Across the country, local races in 2025 have seen a rise in flyers, mailers, and posts that look like endorsements from famous figures but aren’t. Sometimes it’s intentional way to gain quick attention and sometimes it’s simply misleading marketing.
In small elections where voters don’t always follow every detail, one strong image or familiar name can change how someone votes. And with social media, even a single misleading post can reach thousands of people within hours.
It’s becoming harder for voters to know what’s true. Political campaigns are using AI tools, photo editing, and targeted ads that make things look more official than they are. Some even use old photos or out-of-context quotes to give the impression that a national figure is backing them.
The best way to avoid being misled is to check the facts. If you see a flyer or a post that claims an endorsement, visit the official social media page or campaign website of the person mentioned. Most high-profile figures, including Trump, Biden, and other national leaders, publicly list their real endorsements online.
At the end of the day, every election depends on trust and when that trust gets blurred by fake or confusing endorsements, the real losers are the voters.