Democratic PR Firm's Israel Propaganda Contract Exposed and Terminated

PR Firm's Israel Contract Details

• 💡 A Democratic Party-aligned public relations firm, SKDKnickerbocker LLC, was reportedly running a propaganda campaign using bots on behalf of Israel.
• 🎯 The strategy, as initially reported by Sludge, aimed to "flood the zone" with pro-Israel messages from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, using automated tools to boost content reach.
• 💰 The contract, valued at $600,000, was set to run from April 2025 through March 2026 and included coaching spokespeople, testing influencers, and arranging journalist outreach.

Campaign Objectives and Tactics

• 🤖 The bots were designed to operate 24/7, potentially to drown out reporting from Gaza, which the hosts described as a genocide.
• 📰 SKDK was also tasked with securing favorable coverage from major outlets like BBC, CNN, Fox, and the Associated Press.
• 🗣️ The firm was previously registered as a foreign agent for Israel, its only foreign government client, and had engaged in outreach to promote Israeli perspectives on platforms like NPR, Fox News, MSNBC, and X.

Contract Termination and Political Ties

• 📉 Following public attention, SKDK reportedly ended its contract with the Israeli foreign ministry, with Politico noting the termination.
• 🤝 The firm's parent company, Stagwell Global, also has a Republican-aligned affiliate, Targeted Victory, working on similar pro-Israel communications.
• 🏛️ SKDK has deep ties to the Democratic establishment, with key figures like Anita Dunn (Biden adviser) and former staff of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer involved.

Funding and Donor Impact

• 💸 SKDK grossed over $80 million in 2024 from Democratic campaigns and aligned super PACs, including funds from Ruben Gallego's campaign and Apac's United Democracy Project.
• 💰 The firm also received nearly $100,000 from the DNC for political consulting, alongside payments from groups supporting Democratic politicians like Josh Gottheimer and Mark Kelly.
• 📢 The hosts argue that this highlights how donor money is used by the Democratic party, suggesting neither major party is sufficiently critical of Israel's actions.