Politics

Leak: Hillary’s ‘Personal’ Twitter Thoughts Are Dictated By Staffers

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Leaked emails indicate at least some of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s personal tweets are actually created partially or entirely by members of her staff.

Clinton’s Twitter account has long acknowledged that much of its content comes from Clinton’s staff. Therefore, to distinguish which tweets came straight from Clinton herself, the account states that personal tweets will be signed “-H.”

But an email leaked by WikiLeaks Wednesday afternoon suggest that isn’t the case, and that Clinton’s “personal” tweets are instead crafted by her staffers just like all the rest.

In the email, Clinton campaign staffer Milia Fisher asks for campaign chairman John Podesta to sign off on the text of three tweets regarding Clinton’s fundraising that will be attributed to Clinton herself. Notably, Fisher’s plan includes crafting a tweet to make on Podesta’s behalf so that Clinton could then retweet it immediately.

“Digital felt strongly that we add an appreciative sentiment. You OK with the extra word?” Fisher asks on the wording of Podesta’s tweet. She then lays out the “plan” the campaign’s digital arm had concocted for Clinton’s three-tweet series.

Fisher’s request for approval on the tweets follows the same process the campaign uses for other tweets that aren’t attributed to Clinton herself. For example, in one email Fisher requests Podesta’s approval for an entire set of tweets set to go out during a Democratic debate.

The tweets were subsequently posted a half hour later with almost the exact text Fisher had proposed.

(1/3) Still running the numbers—but here's what we know: In the first quarter of this campaign, supporters gave more than $45 million. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 1, 2015

(2/3) Here's a number we're especially proud of. -H https://t.co/5OF040W57R

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 1, 2015

(3/3) Just one thing left to say to everyone who has pitched in to support this campaign: Thank you. -H pic.twitter.com/TQTBWUZ3MW

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 1, 2015

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