A network of TikTok fan accounts worked to recast suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo as an attractive, empathetic, misunderstood, and progressive public servant, just as she was being investigated for serious crimes. Journalist Nica Hanopol of VERA Files explains how this subtle influence operation unfolded and why it may be a sign of things to come.

This episode was produced by Bella Perez-Rubio and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

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