Star Spangled Media is an LLC that finances pop-up media outlets in the United States. The media outlets, which include Morning Mirror 1 2 and Main Street Sentinel, 3 often take the form of news sites that almost exclusively promote Democratic politicians and policies. 4 5
Background
Star Spangled Media was formed in April 2022 in the state of New York. At the time of launch, the only officer listed in the company’s filing was a registered ad agent. 6
According to the source code of subsidiary outlet the Morning Mirror, the website was created in part by Lucas Anderton, the creative director at left-of-center ad firm SBDigital. In addition, many of its articles were written by Cesar Vargas-Torrico, a Democratic communications operative. 7
Activities
One of the sites Star Spangled Media operates is the Morning Mirror, a small outlet that features a mix of health and wellness blogs and political coverage favorable toward Democratic politicians. One example is a piece on Michigan state Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) spotlighting her commitment to pro-abortion legislation. 8 9 Many of its articles under the “Local” category concern Democratic members or candidates for Michigan’s House of Representatives, such as state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), state Rep. Nate Shannon (D), and state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D). 10
On other occasions, it has published articles favorably covering organized labor’s efforts to reclassify Uber drivers in California as employees rather than independent contractors. 11
Another outlet operated by Star Spangled Media is the Main Street Sentinel, a pop-up outlet used to disseminate content in favor of President Joe Biden and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). Other content included pieces blaming rising prices on “corporate price gouging” and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, echoing messaging from the Biden White House. It also published articles celebrating President Biden’s policies concerning infrastructure and manufacturing. 12
According to Meta’s ad library, Main Street Sentinel spent over $1.4 million to run ads in 2022, mainly to promote Democratic candidates for Michigan state legislative races. 13
In June 2024, a reporter for news outlet Semafor published an article on Star Spangled Media titled “Top Democratic lawyer backs mysterious news site.” In the piece, the author described Star Spangled Media as “a secretive local media network with ties to high-profile national Democratic operatives” that was attempting to convince Arizona regulators it was not a political group and should not have to disclose its finances as part of campaign finance law. 14
Funding
As a privately held business, Star Spangled Media is not required by law to disclose its financial data or its investors. 15
However, according to the report from Semafor, the company receives support services from prominent Democratic lawyer Marc Elias and his law firm Elias Law Group LLP. In May 2024, attorney Jonathan S. Berkon at Elias Law Group sent a letter to the Arizona campaign finance regulator, known as the Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission, asserting that Star Spangled Media was exempt from financial disclosure requirements. 16
References
- “About Us.” The Morning Mirror. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/about-us.
- “Rep. Jenn Hill Says One of Her ‘Proudest Accomplishments’ is Supporting Reproductive Rights.” The Morning Mirror, June 25, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/local/rep-jenn-hill-says-one-of-her-proudest-accomplishments-is-supporting-reproductive-rights.
- Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios, March 27, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2022/03/27/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections.
- Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios, March 27, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2022/03/27/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections.
- Tani, Max. “Top Democratic lawyer backs mysterious news site.” Semafor, June 7, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/07/07/2024/top-democratic-lawyer-backs-mysterious-news-site.
- Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios, March 27, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2022/03/27/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections.
- Tani, Max. “Top Democratic lawyer backs mysterious news site.” Semafor, June 7, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/07/07/2024/top-democratic-lawyer-backs-mysterious-news-site.
- “About Us.” The Morning Mirror. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/about-us.
- “Rep. Jenn Hill Says One of Her ‘Proudest Accomplishments’ is Supporting Reproductive Rights.” The Morning Mirror, June 25, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/local/rep-jenn-hill-says-one-of-her-proudest-accomplishments-is-supporting-reproductive-rights.
- “Local.” The Morning Mirror. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/local.
- [1] “California Uber Drivers Succeed in Their Fight to Be Recognized as Employees Under the Law.” The Morning Mirror, June 17, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.themorningmirror.com/business/california-uber-drivers-succeed-in-their-fight-to-be-recognized-as-employees-under-the-law.
- Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios, March 27, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2022/03/27/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections.
- “Ad Library – The Main Street Sentinel.” Facebook. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=political_and_issue_ads&country=US&view_all_page_id=105228065418497&sort_data[direction]=desc&sort_data[mode]=relevancy_monthly_grouped&search_type=page&media_type=all.
- Tani, Max. “Top Democratic lawyer backs mysterious news site.” Semafor, June 7, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/07/07/2024/top-democratic-lawyer-backs-mysterious-news-site.
- Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios, March 27, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2022/03/27/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections.
- Tani, Max. “Top Democratic lawyer backs mysterious news site.” Semafor, June 7, 2024. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/07/07/2024/top-democratic-lawyer-backs-mysterious-news-site.