# Astroturfing on The No Agenda Show

Astroturfing comes up in 10 chapters across 10 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from August 2009 to March 2025.

- **Chapters:** 10
- **Episodes:** 10
- **Discussed:** August 2009 – March 2025
- **Related topics:** [Lobbying](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lobbying.md), [Acorn](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/acorn.md), [Bots](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bots.md), [Department Of Justice](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/department-of-justice.md), [Florida](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/florida.md), [Google](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/google.md), [Grassroots](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/grassroots.md), [Greta Thunberg](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/greta-thunberg.md), [Huntington Beach](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/huntington-beach.md), [Iso](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/iso.md)

## Chapters 1–10 of 10

### Indivisible Project, Republican Town Hall Disruptions

- **Episode:** [1747: HiFi Intel](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1747-hifi-intel.md)
- **Published:** 2025-03-16
- **Time:** 27:57–33:26
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1747-hifi-intel/chapter/indivisible-project-republican-town-hall-disruptions.md

Leah Greenberg of the Indivisible Project appeared on MSNBC to discuss organized protests at Republican town halls, such as those held by Congressman Chuck Edwards. While the organization claims these are grassroots movements of concerned constituents, critics label them as coordinated "astroturfing" efforts. The group is a registered 501c4 that uses ActBlue for processing political contributions.

Keywords: indivisible project, leah greenberg, [town hall](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/town-hall.md), chuck edwards, [msnbc](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/msnbc.md), [astroturfing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturfing.md)

### Ukraine Digital Transformation and Social Media AstroTurfing

- **Episode:** [1566: Hush Up Boy!](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1566-hush-up-boy.md)
- **Published:** 2023-06-22
- **Time:** 28:32–34:43
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1566-hush-up-boy/chapter/ukraine-digital-transformation-and-social-media-astroturfing.md

The reconstruction plan for Ukraine includes a heavy focus on digital transformation and energy sector revitalization. Meanwhile, social media platforms like Twitter show evidence of AstroTurfing, where identical boilerplate messages from "citizens" of various countries claim that arming Ukraine is the best use of taxpayer money.

Keywords: digital transformation, [ukraine](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ukraine.md), [astroturfing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturfing.md), [twitter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/twitter.md), [nato](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nato.md)

### AI Lobbying, AstroTurf Campaigns and Federal Rulemaking

- **Episode:** [1527: Grip & Grin](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1527-grip-grin.md)
- **Published:** 2023-02-05
- **Time:** 2:26:21–2:29:22
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1527-grip-grin/chapter/ai-lobbying-astroturf-campaigns-and-federal-rulemaking.md

The discussion continues regarding AI's ability to flood federal agencies with millions of fake public comments, creating automated "AstroTurf" campaigns. This capability could allow actors to distort perceived popular will on specific policy topics. Experts suggest AI could also be used to identify which legislators are most susceptible to specific lobbying strategies.

Keywords: [lobbying](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lobbying.md), [astroturf](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturf.md), [department of justice](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/department-of-justice.md), [russia](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/russia.md), federal rules

### ISO Segment, Astroturf Anecdote

- **Episode:** [1396: Flu Tsunami](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1396-flu-tsunami.md)
- **Published:** 2021-11-04
- **Time:** 2:43:46–2:47:33
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1396-flu-tsunami/chapter/iso-segment-astroturf-anecdote.md

The hosts review new "In Search Of" (ISO) audio clips, including Greta Thunberg and Judge Jeanine. A tangent develops regarding Adam Curry's backyard, which features astroturf for his new dog, Phoebe. This leads to a brief mention of Scott Adams also having a large astroturf installation.

Keywords: [iso](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/iso.md), [judge jeanine](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/judge-jeanine.md), [greta thunberg](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/greta-thunberg.md), [astroturf](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturf.md), [scott adams](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/scott-adams.md), [phoebe](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/phoebe.md)

### Reddit Echo Chambers and "They Live" Film Analysis

- **Episode:** [1385: Flu Zone](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1385-flu-zone.md)
- **Published:** 2021-09-26
- **Time:** 1:49:00–1:52:01
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1385-flu-zone/chapter/reddit-echo-chambers-and-they-live-film-analysis.md

A producer's note analyzes how small, motivated groups use bots and moderation to create echo chambers on Reddit. This leads to a discussion of the John Carpenter film "They Live," which is described as a profound exploration of societal simulation and reality.

Keywords: [reddit](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/reddit.md), [bots](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bots.md), [astroturfing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturfing.md), [john carpenter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-carpenter.md), [they live](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/they-live.md)

### Jimmy Kimmel, Florida Beach Reopening Monologue

- **Episode:** [1236: WhoTube](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1236-whotube.md)
- **Published:** 2020-04-26
- **Time:** 51:15–55:13
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1236-whotube/chapter/jimmy-kimmel-florida-beach-reopening-monologue.md

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel mocked protesters in Florida and California, labeling them "Florida morons." The segment critiques a viral photo of a healthcare worker blocking protesters, suggesting the encounter was an "astroturf" setup staged for media licensing.

Keywords: [jimmy kimmel](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/jimmy-kimmel.md), [florida](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/florida.md), [jacksonville](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/jacksonville.md), [huntington beach](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/huntington-beach.md), [astroturf](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturf.md)

### Silicon Valley Influence on Save Your Internet Campaign

- **Episode:** [1040: Pardon Me](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1040-pardon-me.md)
- **Published:** 2018-06-08
- **Time:** 1:57:18–2:02:04
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1040-pardon-me/chapter/silicon-valley-influence-on-save-your-internet-campaign.md

The "Save Your Internet" campaign against the EU copyright directive is scrutinized as a potential Silicon Valley lobbying effort. The hosts point out the anonymous ownership of the campaign's website and its use of simplistic cartoons to frame the issue. They suggest that while the directive has flaws, the opposition is largely funded by tech giants like Google who want to avoid paying for content.

Keywords: save your internet, [google](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/google.md), [silicon valley](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/silicon-valley.md), [lobbying](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lobbying.md), [astroturfing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturfing.md)

### Crowds on Demand, Astroturfing and Paid Protesters

- **Episode:** [1032: Going Vertical](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1032-going-vertical.md)
- **Published:** 2018-05-11
- **Time:** 2:40:58–2:45:58
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1032-going-vertical/chapter/crowds-on-demand-astroturfing-and-paid-protesters.md

The company "Crowds on Demand" is highlighted for providing paid actors to attend city council meetings and protests, a practice known as astroturfing. Reports from New Orleans indicate that actors were paid to support a new power plant. The company openly advertises services including paparazzi, adoring fans, and coordinated lobbying efforts.

Keywords: crowds on demand, [astroturfing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturfing.md), [paid protesters](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/paid-protesters.md), [lobbying](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lobbying.md), pr stunts

### Tea Party Movement, Grassroots vs AstroTurf, Media Strategy

- **Episode:** [166: Monica Crowley's Stilettos](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/166-monica-crowley-s-stilettos.md)
- **Published:** 2010-01-17
- **Time:** 1:26:43–1:31:17
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/166-monica-crowley-s-stilettos/chapter/tea-party-movement-grassroots-vs-astroturf-media-strategy.md

The media's portrayal of the Tea Party movement has shifted from labeling it "AstroTurf" to acknowledging it as a "true grassroots movement." The hosts analyze a discussion from the McLaughlin Group, suggesting that pundits are now "hedging their bets" because the movement has grown too large to ignore. They argue that the media is attempting to identify or install a leader to co-opt the movement's power.

Keywords: [tea party](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tea-party.md), [mclaughlin group](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/mclaughlin-group.md), [grassroots](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/grassroots.md), [astroturf](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturf.md), [media memes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/media-memes.md)

### Town Hall Protests, Astroturfing Claims and Nancy Pelosi

- **Episode:** [120: The Clinton Gore Man Hug](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/120-the-clinton-gore-man-hug.md)
- **Published:** 2009-08-09
- **Time:** 14:36–16:52
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/120-the-clinton-gore-man-hug/chapter/town-hall-protests-astroturfing-claims-and-nancy-pelosi.md

Disruptive town hall meetings regarding healthcare reform are characterized by some politicians, including Nancy Pelosi, as "astroturf" organized by right-wing groups. The discussion contrasts these organic protests with the professional organization of the SEIU and ACORN. The hosts argue that heated public debate is a fundamental aspect of democracy rather than a manufactured fiasco.

Keywords: [town halls](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/town-halls.md), [nancy pelosi](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nancy-pelosi.md), [astroturf](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/astroturf.md), [seiu](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/seiu.md), [acorn](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/acorn.md)

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