Trump campaign blames faulty 'algorithms' for placing ads on Nazi videos
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign blamed the "algorithm" of video platform Rumble for running fundraising ads that monetizes pro-Nazi content, according to a new report.
The former president's campaign Wednesday argued Rumble was to blame for placing their ads before a video broadcast by failed rapper and conspiracy theorist Stew Peters, during which he touted Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler as a "hero," Rolling Stone reports.
“We aren’t picking any particular video or channel to run ads on, and we are not given visibility into every single ad that is served during every video," a spokesperson told Rolling Stone. "Rumble is ultimately responsible for the ads that are served on any given video on their platform.”
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Rumble did not respond to Rolling Stone's request for more information about whether it has safeguards to prevent presidential campaign ads from appearing on Nazi content, but the magazine notes the platform offers ads both algorithm-placed and traditional "non-programmatic" advertising.
The Trump campaign told Rolling Stone they relied on algorithmic placement but did not answer questions about any concerns they might have about Rumble or the pro-Nazi content it platforms.
The social media site presents itself as an anti-cancel culture alternative to YouTube and provides a platform for controversial figures such as Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist influencer who faces rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, and Russell Brand, the comedian and actor accused by multiple women of rape and sexual assault.
Trump's ad takes viewers to a web page for the Trump Save America fundraising committee through which cash is funneled to Trump's presidential campaign and the leadership PAC helping to pay his legal bills, the Rolling Stone report notes.
A rep for Peters did not respond to Rolling Stone's questions about how much he earns on Rumble.
"Ironically, while Trump ads run against his show," writes reporter Tim Dickinson, "Peters does not take a kind view of the former president, whom he claims 'bows to his Zionist masters.'"