Polymarket pulls some creator sponsorships over LA mayoral post
Polymarket told NPR it is pulling sponsorship from some creators after Nick Shirley on Monday shared a post casting doubt on the Los Angeles mayoral election and misrepresenting how Polymarket odds work. The platform ended the sponsorship as it navigates reputational risks around political content and election-related markets. The action follows reporting that both Polymarket and Kalshi had boosted posts making unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the LA race, then directed affiliates to remove them. It also comes amid scrutiny of Polymarket's marketing practices, including reports that its CMO sent $2.5 million via personal PayPal to more than 800 influencers.
Polymarket must now show the CFTC it can cut off misinformation-spreading affiliates within 48 hours of discovery, or the agency will treat delayed takedowns as evidence of weak marketing surveillance. Any finding of systemic control gaps would expose the platform to market-integrity enforcement that constrains its influencer-driven user acquisition.
Polymarket joins Kalshi in a two-day scramble to retract paid influencer posts that amplified election misinformation around the LA mayoral race.