Politics

Are Most of Newt Gingrich’s Over 1.3 Million Twitter Followers Fake?

Newt Gingrichs Over 1.3 Million Twitter Followers FakeIf having the most Twitter followers could seal the deal on a person’s presidential candidacy, Newt Gingrich would reign supreme. With a staggering 1,325,842 followers to date, Gingrich has more than double the followers of Sarah Palin and has also left Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann’s — both of whom boast less than 100,000 followers each — in the dust.  But given the former House Speaker’s lack of real-time appeal, what‘s with Gingrich’s Twitter popularity? According to Gawker, the answer is fake Twitter followers, allegedly fabricated by a Gingrich-hired firm to make the once presidential hopeful look good:

Gawker reports that on Sunday Gingrich complained about the press ignoring his Twitter-success, stating, ”I have six times as many Twitter followers as all the other candidates combined, but it didn‘t count because if it counted I’d still be a candidate; since I can‘t be a candidate that can’t count.”

But Gingrich’s Twitter following might not be made up of actual people. A former Gingrich staff member reportedly told Gawker the campaign hired an outside firm to beef up the candidate’s Twitter following, in part by fabricating user-accounts en masse:

Newt employs a variety of agencies whose sole purpose is to procure Twitter followers for people who are shallow/insecure/unpopular enough to pay for them. As you might guess, Newt is most decidedly one of the people to which these agencies cater.

About 80 percent of those accounts are inactive or are dummy accounts created by various “follow agencies,” another 10 percent are real people who are part of a network of folks who follow others back and are paying for followers themselves (Newt’s profile just happens to be a part of these networks because he uses them, although he doesn’t follow back), and the remaining 10 percent may, in fact, be real, sentient people who happen to like Newt Gingrich. If you simply scroll through his list of followers you’ll see that most of them have odd usernames and no profile photos, which has to do with the fact that they were mass generated. Pathetic, isn’t it?

But as Gawker points out, this is a far different explanation for Gingrich’s Twitter explosion than the one offered by Politico back in mid-July:

“[I]t’s his personal touch: He tweets and manages his Twitter feed himself, his campaign confirmed to POLITICO. All told, he has tweeted 2,611 times in the 29 months since he joined the site.”

Newt Gingrichs Over 1.3 Million Twitter Followers Fake

According to Gawker, a rudimentary search of Gingrich’s Twitter followers yields several dubious-looking results, such as accounts featuring strange names with no followers, posts or personal information.  There is also reportedly a market out there in cyberspace for purchasing Twitter followers..

Gawker reports that the Gingrich campaign didn’t respond to its request for comment.

Comments (55)

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  • chattycathy
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 8:02am

    Once considered Gingrich a great mind but that all stopped the day he sat on the couch …

    Report Post »  
    • whotnaught
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 8:23am

      me too.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 10:37am

      Seems like a reverse situation as Palin’s followers are real, she is fake.

      Report Post »  
    • GrannyATL
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 1:44pm

      I’m a local who has followed Newt since his days in Congress. He lost my respect when he ran on “Family Values” and then cheated on his wife, Marianne — who he asked for a divorce by phone call on Mother’s Day.

      Since then, all I see is a self-obsessed individual who is a legend in his own mind. (Including his current marriage to Calista, where they have collaborated on several projects together, each extolling the virtues of the other.)

      He needs to get off the stage.

      Report Post » GrannyATL  
  • Brasil2520
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:40am

    It’s all “fake”

    How can 15 Trillion in debt have a AAA rating, thats 12 zero’s !!!

    If your credit card is maxed out, your credit score at best would be 650, that’s a D rating.

    From America to Europe, they are all lying about the numbers, Greece is a great example of the price for lying, this is like the last days of Rome.

    It’s all a scam.

    Report Post » Brasil2520  
    • Barb1954
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 12:07pm

      err, excuse me, BUT I have been a “follower” of Newt for at least 2 years! He tweets quite regularly and has even replied to some of my mentions. I am a REAL person….LMAO!

      So what or who is “Gawker” anyway?

      Report Post »  
  • lisalake
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:26am

    This I can believe..

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:25am

    .
    I’m still trying to figure out if Newt is for real….. He is turning out to be like a Creepy Uncle, Smart but Creepy………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Son_of_Liberty
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:20am

    “He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world´s believing him.” Thomas Jefferson

    I’m sick of all these lying politicians. Where is the honesty? Where is the integrity?

    3%

    Report Post » Son_of_Liberty  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:09am

    I’m not. I’m following him on Twitter. I really like Gingrich. He’s my favorite Presidential candidate. You people calling him a RINO and “fake conservative” are hilarious.

    For God sakes, he’s Newt Freaking Gingrich. Probably one of the most prominent conservative thinkers in the country.

    Report Post »  
    • ArtieR
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:23am

      I love newt too, but he has a maddening propensity to backslide into the Rockefeller Republican he originally was. His going on the ad with Pelosi is indicative of a lack of core principals. He seems to enjoy the political process too much.

      Report Post » ArtieR  
  • Skipper
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 7:02am

    Newt Gingrich has been one of the most steadfast people in “politics” in defending the Constitution. He is also the most studious of history, and what can be learned from it. Twitter is one of the best vehicles available in openly voicing opinions and support for Gingrich. I support his activities, and am disappointed that people do not look at his record and experience rather than how good he looks as a football player on the field of politics….

    Report Post » Skipper  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:45pm

      Newt says some good things and has done some good things, but he is still a big government guy. He believes that government should solve our problems for us. I believe that government in many cases is the problem, i.e. the economy.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
  • clingingtogodandguns
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 6:31am

    Boy, Newt learned from Obummer that’s the same number that actually voted for him 10%.The rest were stuffed or dead.Sorry Newt not impressed with twitter numbers just show what your policies will be.

    Report Post »  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 6:12am

    Who cares? When is it important for a presidential hopeful to have the most tweets for gawd sakes? As far as voters, half don’t even know who they are voting for or what their agenda is, etc. There should be a required test before you are allowed to vote. Even a simple test will eliminate half the voters, haha…

    Report Post »  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 6:00am

    all electronic data like diebolt voting machines and facebook or twitter are easily
    controlled and can be faked just like photoshop or a movie.

    Remember the biggest weapon in Satan’s arsenal is Deception

    So those who deceive are of Satan

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • kukkim
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 4:51am

    I live in Hong Kong but in all sincerity follow Newt for I find his views reasonable and with substance. Do not know what will follow in 2012 but overlooking voices of reason is not a very good idea for Americans.
    Newt Gingrich has the experience, the knowledge, the astuteness, to take this country forward. America can see what they have after they put the inexperienced only rhetoric in the White House.

    Report Post »  
  • Shiroi Raion
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 4:11am

    Twitter’s lame. 140 characters…. peh. Fake followers to make yourself look popular? That sounds pretty desperate. That sounds like something I would expect from a Liberal. HEY! I’m bored.
    It’s been slow today. There’s usually plenty of “Stupid Liberal Tricks” to comment on. It’s been a few hours since the last one. Are they celebrating the debt ceiling behind closed doors at the White House?
    2 trillion dollars and only a year to waste it. Time for another World Apology Tour!

    Report Post » Shiroi Raion  
  • sissykatz
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:34am

    Personally I don’t see any thing wrong with this as PR. If his campaign thinks it will help him. It is no more than the TV and Radio host hiring audiences or people to call in during a show.

    I doubt anyone that was or is going to vote for him is doing so because of his ‘“Twitter Followers”

    I Really wish he had a chance to beat Obama I think he would make a good President and he is a “BRILLIANT” MAN. He has said some things about climate change but several others have also. I just know there is not enough support for him to win. I do hope who ever wins, Gets him in the WH. to help though.

    When Oprah first started she got people off the streets of Chicago and fed them to come and sit in
    her audience so it would look better. That worked so well you had to get tickets a year in advance.

    Report Post »  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:24am

    Who names their kid Newt anyway?! I don’t think his mother liked him.

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:23am

    Newt,
    Thank you for your past service. The time has come for some new thinking. Bye now!

    Report Post »  
  • gwfan
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:21am

    Fake Twitters from a Fake Conservative. To think this man writes about our founding fathers but has never learned anything from them or followed their example. What do you expect from someone who cheats on his wife? Oh, that’s right he told us he cheated because of his love for the country. An absolutely pathetic hypocrite of a little man. Run Sarah Run! As is said on C4P “Maximus Barracudas!”

    Report Post » gwfan  
  • ApokTheGreat
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:11am

    My Twitter account doesnt reveal any personal info on it, I dont have any followers either. I do follow about 5 or 6 entities and most of them are GBTV affiliated. Maybe I am fake! Who knows?

    Anyway, it is possible that some of his large numbers are chain followers as indicated, but that would be across the board for any candidate as well. Newt is popular in Georgia, he taught in a college in North Georgia for a while too. He is a nationally known personality that lead the efforts for the second impeachment in US history. He is the Republican that forced Clinton to moderate and balance the budget. And now he is running for President. For these reasons alone he might get worldwide attention from every news agency globally and his numbers grow large.
    Every media matters drone would be following him to catch Newt in an errant tweet, as would HuffPo drones and other trolls. Also, Newt explained after the twitter debate on Rusty Humphries radio show that he has been using social media for a very long time, he has a computer related degree to boot. So he may very well be very twitter popular.
    None of these reasons should lead one to believe that his twitter largess is related to political support. So I do detract from Newt for making that claim as it is illogical and unsupportable. Some conservatives may have followed him as a first following to break the twitter ice for their accounts.

    Report Post » ApokTheGreat  
  • PATTY HENRY
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:04am

    I followed him because he was Pres. Candidate…I just unfollowed him. SARAH PALIN has 3 MILLION, two hundred and nine thousand two hundred and thirty people right now on her FB page. I’ve watched her go from 1 Mill to 3.2 Million in the past months. WE really need REAL DEAL SARAH types now.
    Newt is a fossil from a time when those politicians could still get away with the double-speak…old coots like REID and that witch PELOSI still think they can. Boy will they be surprised. You could take all of them, and throw in McCain and not have a backbone or honest bone between them.
    This is rough now, for Patriots…but in the end it will prove to be the best time AMERICA has ever had for FREEDOM and LIBERTY. They came, they tried and they almost CONQUERED but the people (largely thanks to PALIN and BECK) sounded the alarm..came together and figured out that there are 3.5 times MORE of us than there ARE of them. WE are not going to stop until AMERICA is AMERICA again.

    Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • Ruby in FL
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 5:35am

      Yes, we are awake because of Glen. Thank God.

      BUT, rather than another Prez “ On Training Wheels” (which USA cannot afford)
      I’ll gladly take NEWT the Fossil with his experience and knowledge and GUTS !
      HE is the only one that can outdo Obama in debates.
      And i’ll be even happier when he puts every other REP candidate in his cabinet.

      So what if he’s divorced – so are 50% of adult Americans.

      His name – Newton – is a derivative of New Town – and isn’t THAT what We The People really need now ?

      12% Corp Tax rate = jobs and stashed cash returning to USA
      FLAT TAX
      Repeal Obamacare – Dodd/Frank – Sarbanes – ALL of Obamas Executive Orders
      DRILL – DRILL – DRILL – making USA Energy Capital of the WORLD
      Newt will implement the Lean Six Sigma method to reduce GOV waste.

      I, too follow Newt – no photo, no etc

      GO NEWT GO !

      Report Post »  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:02am

    Newt, you’re pathetic. Get lost!

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 3:01am

    Newt doesn’t have a chance to be the Republican nominee. His chance to be the POTUS expired years ago.

    I can‘t imagine why he’s wasting his time and money even running. Maybe he hopes that the nominee will pick him for the VP slot.

    Report Post »  
    • traumabay
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:07pm

      Weren‘t McCain’s chances supposed to be toast in the last presidential election? He rose to the top somehow.

      Report Post »  
  • BigTex
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:55am

    I am not too worried about fake twitter followers, what I am worried about is all the fake voters that voted in 2008 for Obama or that will vote for him in 2012.

    Report Post »  
  • Hiswill
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:46am

    Where do we find a real, honest, patriotic, hard working, intelligent candidate these days? We are surrounded by shallow people drowning in self importance. This one takes the cake, Newt .

    Report Post » Hiswill  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:43am

    2012 will be the time when all of Newts fake people go out and vote for Obama. Exactly why it should be required everywhere for voters to show atliest 1 picture ID. If politicians will do this on Twitter and Facebook then why wouldnt they have an army of fake voters too. I’m not suggesting Newt would do that. Watch the exit polls Nov 2012 then compare the vote count. Fake voters are going to jumping out all over the place….with wierd names and fake addresses.

    Report Post »  
  • bkfirvine
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:36am

    Fake Twitter followers for a fake candidate.

    Report Post » bkfirvine  
  • IDareYa72
    Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:17am

    Well I follow them both on twitter… and I know I am real… does it really matter if he has fake followers?? His tweets won’t be heard by them anyways… lol

    Report Post » IDareYa72  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 2:34am

      @idareya72
      Can you prove that you are real though? Maybe your post is only a figment of my imagination? Maybe it’s my insanity running wild? Are you really real? Am I really real? Is twitter really real? Is Newt really real? Hey maybe real isn’t really real?

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • IDareYa72
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 6:41am

      Your right… I can’t argue any of that… lol

      Report Post » IDareYa72  
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