Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris was falsely portrayed as the official presidential candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles in political ads that surfaced around the city. However, it was later revealed that the team did not endorse any presidential candidate, including Harris. The ads, which featured Harris wearing an Eagles helmet and holding a football, were displayed at bus stops owned by Intersection Media without the team’s approval.
Intersection Media issued a statement denying the legitimacy of the ads, stating that their bus shelters had been vandalized and the paid advertising copies had been replaced with unauthorized ones. Despite having locks on the ad boxes to prevent unauthorized copies, individuals managed to bypass the security measures and insert the fake political ads.
The Philadelphia Eagles quickly reacted to the situation, referring to the ads as “counterfeit political ads” and ensuring that they would be removed promptly. While the advertisement was fake, the URL provided on the posters was authentic and directed fans to voting resources in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, without mentioning any specific political candidate.
Authorities in the city are currently investigating the source of the counterfeit posters, clarifying that it was not a result of a digital breach but rather a physical placement of the ads in unauthorized locations. The goal is to have all the fraudulent posters taken down by Tuesday morning to avoid any misinformation spreading, especially in such a crucial state like Pennsylvania during the upcoming election.
The incident highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of political endorsements and advertisements, especially during election season. It serves as a reminder to be vigilant against misinformation and unauthorized propaganda, as such deceptive tactics can influence public opinion and ultimately impact the democratic process. The city’s swift response to remove the fake political ads demonstrates a commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in political campaigns, safeguarding the democratic values that underpin our society.