Fact Check: Kramer Faces $6 Million FCC Fine for Spoofing Calls as Local Democrat
What We Know
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has indeed issued a fine of $6 million against Steve Kramer, a political consultant, for illegal robocalls that utilized a deepfake voice of President Joe Biden. The robocalls were made in the lead-up to the New Hampshire primary, urging voters not to participate in the election (FCC Issues $6M Fine For N.H. Robocalls). The FCC's Forfeiture Order, adopted on September 26, 2024, and released on September 30, 2024, outlines the details of the case and the significant penalties imposed on Kramer for his actions (FCC Issues $6M Fine for Bogus Biden Robocalls).
Analysis
The claim regarding the $6 million fine is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including official FCC documentation and reputable news outlets. The FCC's official Forfeiture Order provides a detailed account of the violations committed by Kramer, specifically highlighting the use of a deepfake AI-generated voice to impersonate President Biden. This method of deception is particularly concerning as it misleads voters and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
In addition to the FCC's findings, other reports confirm that Kramer has admitted to commissioning the robocall, which targeted thousands of voters in New Hampshire (Criminal charges and FCC fines issued for deepfake Biden). This admission adds a layer of credibility to the claims made against him and emphasizes the seriousness of the offense.
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with the FCC being the authoritative body on telecommunications regulations in the United States. News outlets like GovTech and NPR also provide accurate reporting on the incident, further corroborating the details of the fine and the nature of the robocalls.
Conclusion
The claim that Steve Kramer faces a $6 million FCC fine for spoofing calls as a local Democrat is True. The evidence from the FCC's official documentation and corroborating news reports clearly supports this assertion. The actions taken against Kramer highlight the legal repercussions of using deceptive practices in political campaigning, particularly through the misuse of technology such as deepfake AI.
