Chuck Schumer

So the big question behind this episode is why the hell am I getting so many text messages from candidates and why can't I get them to stop? So I was hoping to start with some basics. So when I donate to a candidate, what happens with my data?

So the big question behind this episode is why the hell am I getting so many text messages from candidates and why can't I get them to stop? So I was hoping to start with some basics. So when I donate to a candidate, what happens with my data?

So basically, the campaigns can log your data, put it into a file, and then sell that to other political candidates or, I guess, PACs or organizations? Yep. So I think that's the part that frustrates people because you end up getting these fundraising texts from candidates you've never heard of, from PACs you've never heard of or never given to.

So basically, the campaigns can log your data, put it into a file, and then sell that to other political candidates or, I guess, PACs or organizations? Yep. So I think that's the part that frustrates people because you end up getting these fundraising texts from candidates you've never heard of, from PACs you've never heard of or never given to.

Is it also getting scraped from FEC data or information that we sort of put into the system writ large when we just vote or register to vote?

Is it also getting scraped from FEC data or information that we sort of put into the system writ large when we just vote or register to vote?

And I guess that's probably why it feels like to a lot of people, you can reply stop every day for the rest of your life, and you're still going to remain on some list, probably because your data is just getting sold over and over and over again.

And I guess that's probably why it feels like to a lot of people, you can reply stop every day for the rest of your life, and you're still going to remain on some list, probably because your data is just getting sold over and over and over again.

There have been instances, I believe, of candidates who basically seemed like their entire campaign was predicated on running against Marjorie Taylor Greene, for example, or some Republican in like an R plus 30 district. And then this person runs and they raise a ton of money online.

There have been instances, I believe, of candidates who basically seemed like their entire campaign was predicated on running against Marjorie Taylor Greene, for example, or some Republican in like an R plus 30 district. And then this person runs and they raise a ton of money online.

You come to realize that, oh, actually, that money is going into, let's say, a marketing firm that they actually own and operate.

You come to realize that, oh, actually, that money is going into, let's say, a marketing firm that they actually own and operate.

Can you explain what peer-to-peer texting is and whether you think that has contributed to this increase in text message fundraising requests?

Can you explain what peer-to-peer texting is and whether you think that has contributed to this increase in text message fundraising requests?

And I think that's what's so frustrating about this, right, is because I think peer to peer texting or text based communications started as a really great way to remind people to vote or to get registered to vote. And now it's being taken over by these this fundraising piece of the political pie. And it feels like it's ruining it.

And I think that's what's so frustrating about this, right, is because I think peer to peer texting or text based communications started as a really great way to remind people to vote or to get registered to vote. And now it's being taken over by these this fundraising piece of the political pie. And it feels like it's ruining it.

I want to read you the opening lines of a couple of fundraising texts I got. These are mostly real, but some may be made up. And I want to see if you can spot the fake one. Sure. Family. It's Cory Booker. One, two, we're about to shock Susan Collins. Three, Tommy, I'm gay and I need your help. Four, and this one I believe is supposed to be sung.

I want to read you the opening lines of a couple of fundraising texts I got. These are mostly real, but some may be made up. And I want to see if you can spot the fake one. Sure. Family. It's Cory Booker. One, two, we're about to shock Susan Collins. Three, Tommy, I'm gay and I need your help. Four, and this one I believe is supposed to be sung.

Lately, I've been losing sleep, losing sleep about the future of our country, Tommy. Number five, friend, I don't mean to sound dramatic, but our democracy is about to burn to the fucking ground. My ass is literally on fire, RN. This is Chuck Schumer, by the way.

Lately, I've been losing sleep, losing sleep about the future of our country, Tommy. Number five, friend, I don't mean to sound dramatic, but our democracy is about to burn to the fucking ground. My ass is literally on fire, RN. This is Chuck Schumer, by the way.