AIPAC Used Distorted Photo of Cori Bush in $7 Million Negative Ad Blitz
In a surprising turn of events, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has poured $3 million into a Missouri congressional election in an attempt to unseat Squad member Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, has since spent a total of $7 million to oust Bush. However, their recent mailers have come under fire for using distorted images of Bush, with her forehead appearing larger and her features elongated.
Bush has condemned these ads, stating that they perpetuate racist caricatures and target candidates based on their ethnicity. She expressed her disappointment that such blatant racism is still being used in political campaigns, especially within a Democratic primary. Bush believes that the people of St. Louis deserve better and called on her opponent to condemn his biggest funders for promoting such offensive content.
Despite these concerns, United Democracy Project has not responded to requests for comment. AIPAC, as the leading pro-Israel lobbying group, has become one of the largest outside spenders in this election cycle, particularly in the House primaries. According to Sludge, AIPAC played a significant role in raising campaign funding for Bush’s Democratic opponent, St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell.
The photo used in the AIPAC mailers was taken from an article in the Missouri Independent. However, AIPAC’s use of the photo violated the site’s rules, as they do not allow campaigns or political groups to use their photography without permission. Jason Hancock, the editor-in-chief of the Missouri Independent, stated that they would never give a PAC permission to use their photos, and AIPAC’s actions violated their terms of use.
These mailers are just the latest examples of ads that distort candidates’ skin color and facial features, perpetuating racist tropes. Bush’s campaign revealed that her 2020 opponent, former Democratic Rep. Willian Lacy Clay, also darkened her skin in ads. Similarly, a Democratic firm working for Jamaal Bowman’s opponent in 2022 ran ads that darkened Bowman’s skin.
This is not the first time that AIPAC has targeted members of the progressive Squad. Last month, they spent over $17 million to unseat Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y. Since then, AIPAC has shifted its focus to the upcoming primary in St. Louis, investing $3 million in less than a month to oust Bush.
AIPAC has traditionally been known for its behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts but expanded its electoral presence in 2021 by directly supporting candidates. They launched two new political action committees, including United Democracy Project, their super PAC. This new electoral investment has primarily been used to target progressive members of Congress.
AIPAC’s significant financial contributions have made them one of the largest outside spending groups in this election cycle. They have flooded Democratic primaries with millions of dollars, with much of the funding coming from Republicans, right-wing billionaires, and megadonors. In addition to ads, AIPAC is also funding phone banking and get-out-the-vote calls.
Progressive group Justice Democrats, which supports Bush, has called on Bell’s campaign to denounce the ads. They believe that AIPAC’s use of racist caricatures to attack Missouri’s first Black Congresswoman is a new low. Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi called for Bell to condemn the racist mailers and apologize to the people of St. Louis for allowing his biggest financial backers to promote outright racism in the Democratic primary.
In conclusion, AIPAC’s $7 million negative ad blitz against Rep. Cori Bush has sparked controversy due to the use of distorted images that perpetuate racist tropes. Bush has condemned these ads, calling for her opponent to denounce his biggest funders for promoting such offensive content. AIPAC’s actions have violated the rules of the Missouri Independent, and their significant financial contributions have made them one of the largest outside spending groups in this election cycle. The use of racist caricatures in political campaigns is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed and condemned.