astroturf campaign

Definition

A fake grassroots movement funded by wealthy interests but designed to look like genuine public support. It's the political equivalent of spray-painting dead grass green and calling it a lawn.

Example Usage

The senator claimed overwhelming constituent support, but reporters quickly exposed it as an astroturf campaign funded entirely by three pharmaceutical companies.

Origin

Coined in the 1980s by Senator Lloyd Bentsen, playing on 'grassroots' versus AstroTurf, the artificial grass brand

Fun Fact

The term became so common that 'astroturfing' is now used across marketing and social media to describe any fake organic support.

Source: Political campaign and lobbying terminology

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