Overview

• Former staffers told WIRED that Mace instructed them to create multiple anonymous social media profiles to monitor criticism and defend her online.
• In a deposition, campaign consultant Wesley Donehue testified that Mace personally programs bots and operates fake accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Communications director Sydney Long characterized the report as a “slap in the face to taxpayers,” denying any misuse of government staff for personal image management.
• Observers warn the allegations highlight broader concerns about the deployment of bots and fake profiles in political campaigns and online discourse.
• The burner-account controversy adds to prior complaints of high staff turnover and accusations of a toxic work environment in Mace’s office.