Texas' top campaign finance watchdog gave initial approval last week to a proposal that would require social media users to disclose if they are being paid to share or create political advertisements.
In August, the Tribune reported on Influenceable's attempts to sway public opinion ahead of the impeachment trial by paying Gen Z social media influencers - some with millions of online followers - to claim that Paxton was the victim of a witch hunt. They also flooded social media with posts that accused House Speaker Dade Phelan, a longtime Paxton foe who greenlit the House investigation, of being a drunk.
Dunn and Wilks were also the main financiers behind Defend Texas Liberty, a political action committee that gave $3 million to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick before he presided over Paxton's Senate trial. Campaign finance records also show that Defend Texas Liberty gave $18,000 to "Influencable LLC" - an apparent misspelling - days before the Texas House made its investigation into Paxton public.