Exclusive | Tom Steyer pays $75k to Foos Gone Wild and The Shade Room to juice trailing campaign
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Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/22/us-news/tom-steyer-pays-75k-to-foos-gone-wild-and-…
psychologyDetected Techniques
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Loaded Language
80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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fact_checkFact-Check Results
13 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.
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Single Source
7
schedule
Pending
3
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Insufficient Evidence
2
verified
Verified By Reference
1
“Billionaire Tom Steyer shelled out $75,000 to celebrity gossip powerhouse The Shade Room and meme account Foos Gone Wild”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result explicitly states that Tom Steyer shelled out $75,000 to The Shade Room and Foos Gone Wild. No other independent sources in the provided evidence corroborate this specific figure or transaction.
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 3, 2020. The Democratic ticket of former vice president Joe Biden and California junior senator Kamala Harris defeated the incumbent R…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidentia…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidentia…
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in California will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the 52 U.S. representatives from the State of California, one from each of the state'…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Re…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Re…
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who was a prominent leader of the civil rights movement from…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.
+ 3 more evidence sources
“Hedge fund titan Steyer has poured more than $190 million into his own bid for California governor”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the claim mentions $190 million for a California governor bid, the evidence provided is contradictory or incomplete: one source mentions $253 million for a 2020 presidential campaign, and another mentions $62 million on ballot measures. There is no specific corroboration for the $190 million figure for a gubernatorial bid across multiple sources.
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wikipedia
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— The 2026 California gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of California. The statewide top-two primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_gubernatorial_…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_gubernatorial_…
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— James Pearson Steyer (; born 1956) is an American civil rights attorney, professor, and author. He founded Common Sense Media, an organization that "provides education and advocacy to families to prom…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Steyer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Steyer
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Thomas Fahr Steyer (; born June 27, 1957) is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, environmental advocate, and Democratic political activist. He founded the San Francisco hedge fund Far…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
+ 3 more evidence sources
“That included a $25,000 payment to The Shade Room”
SINGLE SOURCE
This claim is part of the same reporting as Claim 0. Only one web search result mentions the $75k total, implying the $25k breakdown, but no second independent source confirms the specific $25,000 payment to The Shade Room.
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 3, 2020. The Democratic ticket of former vice president Joe Biden and California junior senator Kamala Harris defeated the incumbent R…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidentia…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidentia…
menu_book
wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in California will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the 52 U.S. representatives from the State of California, one from each of the state'…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Re…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Re…
menu_book
wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who was a prominent leader of the civil rights movement from…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.
+ 3 more evidence sources
“The Shade Room... boasts 28 million Instagram followers”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of dictionary definitions of 'shade' and unrelated Wikipedia entries about films and colors. No evidence regarding the follower count of 'The Shade Room' was provided.
menu_book
wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Baker–Miller Pink, also known as P-618, Schauss pink, or Drunk-Tank Pink, is a tone of pink which has been observed to temporarily reduce hostile, violent, or aggressive behavior. It was originally cr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker–Miller_pink
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker–Miller_pink
menu_book
wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Filters are digital image effects often used on social media. They initially simulated the effects of camera filters, and they have since developed with facial recognition technology and computer-gene…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_(social_media)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_(social_media)
menu_book
wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— The Human Demands is the fifth studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald, and was released on 30 October 2020. Produced by Jim Abbiss, the album spawned the singles "The Hudson", "Crazy…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Human_Demands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Human_Demands
+ 3 more evidence sources
“The $25,000 payment was listed as “online communications” in Steyer’s latest financial filing, which covers spending through May 16”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim contains general biographical information about Tom Steyer and his candidacy, but does not mention financial filings, the date May 16, or the specific 'online communications' label.
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Thomas Fahr Steyer (/ ˈstaɪ.ər /; born June 27, 1957) is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, environmental advocate, and Democratic political activist. He founded the San Francisco he…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Apr 28, 2026 · Tom Steyer: What to know about CA gubernatorial candidate Positioning himself as an outsider, the billionaire candidate promises to make California more affordable.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/who-is-tom-steyer-c…
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/who-is-tom-steyer-c…
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Tom Steyer knows what it will take to lower costs, and has a history of delivering results for California — even when the real politicians couldn’t get it done.
https://www.tomsteyer.com/
https://www.tomsteyer.com/
“Another popular meme account, Foos Gone Wild, was paid $50,000”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of results for 'Talking Tom' (the app/cat), which is entirely irrelevant to the meme account 'Foos Gone Wild' or Tom Steyer's payments.
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Talking Tom is the cat making every day a fun adventure. Players adopt this virtual pet, keep him happy and help him explore his world. - Talking Tom can really talk - Fashion and furniture...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.outfit7.my…
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.outfit7.my…
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Talking Tom & Friends apps are top-rated casual games for the whole family, your neighbor and friends.
https://talkingtomandfriends.com/
https://talkingtomandfriends.com/
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— While Talking Tom splashes around happily, Ben is convinced there are nasty surprises lurking beneath the surface. Hi, guys. Thanks for watching! It’s so cool to meet you.
https://www.youtube.com/TalkingTom
https://www.youtube.com/TalkingTom
“Both payments were made through Flight House, a communications agency that works with influencers”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence mentions 'Global Merchandising Services' and booking agents for Foos Gone Wild, but there is no mention of an agency called 'Flight House' or its role in processing payments for Tom Steyer.
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— “We are excited to welcome Foos Gone Wild to the Global family,” said Lisa Streff, SVP of Licensing & Brand Development, North America, at Global Merchandising Services. “Foos Gone Wild is more than a…
https://www.brandsuntapped.com/global-merchandising-services…
https://www.brandsuntapped.com/global-merchandising-services…
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Foos Gone Wild's booking price depends on factors such as the event date, location, and current market demand. To get the exact Foos Gone Wild booking fee, you'll need to contact Foos Gone Wild's book…
https://bookingagentinfo.com/celebrity/foos-gone-wild/
https://bookingagentinfo.com/celebrity/foos-gone-wild/
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— FOOS GONE WILD IS NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT @zumiez LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE!The Food Standards Agency (FSA) warns that those under four should not be consuming the drink as it can contain Glycerol which ca…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/foos-gone-wild-warning
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/foos-gone-wild-warning
“Brandon Calvillo, also known as bjclavillo, who netted $14,250”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence mentions Tom Steyer's bid for governor and a payment to Carlos Eduardo Espina, but there is no mention of Brandon Calvillo or a payment of $14,250.
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Thomas Fahr Steyer is an American businessman, philanthropist, and environmentalist. He is the founder of Farallon Capital, a San Francisco-based hedge fund, as well as NextGen America, a progressive …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— (AP) — Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer is selling himself as a class traitor in his bid for California governor. The Democrat with a personal fortune estimated at $2.4 billion wants wealthy pe…
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/billionaire-tom-steyer…
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/billionaire-tom-steyer…
travel_explore
web search
NEUTRAL
— Tom Steyer paid a reported $100,000 to Latino influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina to help with his campaign for California Governor.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/17/us-news/astounding-six-figure-…
https://nypost.com/2026/05/17/us-news/astounding-six-figure-…
“Hari Tahov, Thomas Marcus, @quentin.quarantino, who was paid $25,000”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this claim.
“@haritahov, who was paid $1,000”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this claim.
“Steyer is trailing Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra by a few points in recent polls”
PENDING
“the June 2 primary election”
PENDING
“a claim by cyber intelligence firm Cyabra that a mysterious bot network was boosting Becerra’s candidacy”
PENDING
info
Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.