# What laws apply to paid political endorsements?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 14, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251 "2024-11-14T14:45:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251/1 "2024-11-14T14:45:40Z")

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I remember it was common for political tv and radio ads to end with a paid for by … disclaimer.

I don’t remember hearing that disclaimer in my local or national political ads.

What about Celebrity Endorsement? Anyone can endorse a candidate. But if they’re paid or promised something, (like a government appointment) does it require a disclaimer?

What’s happened and what is the current legal requirements?

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251/2 "2024-11-14T23:56:37Z")

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My general understanding is that any ad released by the candidates themselves must have the candidate shown saying “I’m [candidate] and I endorse this message.” Other ads can restrict themselves to a small caption of “paid for by [whomever].”

I doubt that any celebrity promised a government appointment would say so, as that is illegal.

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251/3 "2024-11-15T05:43:08Z")

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Here in Minnesota, our Campaign Finance laws require every campaign advertisement to have a ‘disclaimer’ that identifies who produced and distributed the ad, and where to reach them.

There are a few exceptions, mainly ads where it would be technically difficult to include such a full disclaimer:

- bumper stickers
- buttons
- pens & pencils
- T-shirts, hats, & other wearing apparel
- digital banner ads – if the banner links to a webpage that has a disclaimer
- skywriting

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-laws-apply-to-paid-political-endorsements/1010251/4 "2024-11-16T00:33:53Z")

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Thank you

I admit that I often don’t listen closely to disclaimers. But I’m glad they’re required in some places.