As the US gears up for the pivotal 2024 election, concerns are mounting over a deceptive advertising campaign aimed at undermining confidence in the electoral process. Recent investigations reveal that a non-profit organisation linked to prominent allies of former President Donald Trump financed advertisements suggesting that local election officials could opt not to certify election results. These misleading claims coincide with Trump’s ongoing rhetoric casting doubt on the integrity of American elections.
Misleading Advertisements in Swing States
In recent weeks, advertisements have surfaced in key battleground states, misleadingly suggesting that the certification of election results is discretionary. This assertion is fundamentally incorrect, as election officials are mandated by law to certify results once all challenges have been resolved. Reports from ProPublica and Wisconsin Watch highlighted these ads, which seem to be timed to coincide with Trump’s preparations to contest the election outcomes should he not emerge victorious.
New documents reviewed by various outlets indicate that the group behind these advertisements received substantial funding from the Foundation For Accountability Integrity & Research In Elections Fund, commonly known as the Fair Elections Fund. This non-profit, which has ties to influential election deniers, has also directed funds towards promoting an anti-voting bill in 2024.
Key Figures Behind the Campaign
Cleta Mitchell, a seasoned attorney and staunch Trump supporter known for her role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, along with Heather Honey, a researcher with a history of disseminating misleading election analyses, are both directors of the Fair Elections Fund. Honey’s recent appointment to a role within the Department of Homeland Security has raised alarms among voting rights advocates, who view it as a significant threat to electoral integrity.
Before joining the government, Honey was known for producing dubious research that Trump has cited to challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election. For instance, she inaccurately claimed that the number of votes cast in Pennsylvania exceeded the total number of voters registered.
Funding the Undermining of Democracy
The Fair Elections Fund has channelled approximately $300,000 to the American Principles Project Foundation between July 2024 and June 2025. This foundation was responsible for the advertisements suggesting that election certification is optional. While these ads bore the logo of a group called Follow the Law, they were ultimately funded by the American Principles Project.
The American Principles Project did not respond to requests for comment regarding the campaign. Brendan Fischer, director of strategic investigations at Campaign Legal Center, articulated the concern that Mitchell and Honey are not only key players in the election denial movement but are also facilitating the flow of substantial funds to various groups aiming to erode voting rights and promote fringe claims about election integrity.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Fair Elections Fund has raised over $7.7 million, significantly bolstered by contributions from the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), a group closely associated with Trump loyalists. The CPI is reported to have provided more than $6 million to the Fair Elections Fund in 2024 alone.
The Broader Implications of Dark Money in Politics
The implications of this funding and the associated advertisements extend beyond mere misinformation. Michael McNulty, policy director at Issue One, underscored the extensive network of organisations and individuals perpetuating conspiracy theories about election fraud. He referred to this as part of what has been termed the “election takeover playbook” employed by Trump, where the initial step involves disseminating false narratives about election integrity.
This extensive web of funding and advocacy groups raises significant questions about the influence of dark money in American politics, particularly as the nation prepares for a crucial electoral cycle.
Why it Matters
The emergence of these misleading advertisements, funded by an influential network of Trump allies, poses a serious threat to the foundations of American democracy. By casting doubt on the electoral process, this campaign not only undermines public confidence in elections but also potentially sets the stage for further attempts to challenge legitimate electoral outcomes. As we approach the 2024 election, it is imperative for voters and advocates of democracy to remain vigilant against misinformation and to strive for transparency in political funding.
