Finger pushing
loader-image
weather icon 54°F


Boebert sets up, then deactivates Cameo

Anyone with a spare $250 who wants to hire U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert to record a personalized video message may have to wait after the Colorado Republican, who joined Cameo over the weekend, deactivated her account Monday afternoon amid questions about whether charging for the service could violate House rules.

Boebert appears to have been the first sitting member of Congress to attempt to hawk made-to-order video clips on the popular platform, though some of her former colleagues, including Republicans George Santos and Matt Gaetz, offer their customized videos on the website.

“It’s your girl from Colorado, Lauren Boebert,” said Boebert, who was elected to a third term this month after moving across the state into a new district, in an introductory video posted to the site on Saturday. “I am so excited to be joining another platform where I can connect directly with supporters from all over the world.”

Initially listing herself as an “influencer” and “political commentator,” Boebert’s Cameo page said she charged $250 and up to record a range of messages, with suggested possibilities including, “Say happy birthday,” “Ask a question” and “Receive a pep talk.”

“Whether you or someone you know needs an America First pep talk. if you want to surprise friends or family with a message for a special day, or if you just want to know my thoughts on whatever’s on your mind, Cameo is the place to connect with me,” Boebert said in the video. “You can book a video now on my Cameo profile, and I will be seeing you and talking with you soon.”

Boebert’s page didn’t refer to her status as a member of Congress, describing her instead as: “Not your typical Republican politician. Jesus loving, Constitutionalist, America first, freedom fighter.”

By late morning, Boebert’s Cameo page had stopped accepting bookings and by mid-afternoon it had disappeared.

Boebert’s office declined to comment.

Experts in congressional ethics suggested that Boebert’s bid to cash in on her celebrity might run afoul of House rules that limit lawmakers’ outside income and prohibit sitting members from receiving payment for giving speeches.

Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause, told Colorado Politics on Monday that Boebert appeared to have been the first current member of Congress to set up a Cameo account. He noted that the House Ethics Committee hasn’t yet weighed in on the question.

“Until they provide some sort of formal guidance, the expectation is that members would probably be allowed to sign up for it,” Scherb said, adding, “It seems like it could potentially violate the ban on honoraria, but it’s untested.”

Under the ethics panel’s description of governing laws, rules and standards of conduct, House members and senior staff are prohibited from receiving any honoraria, which is defined as “a payment of money or a thing of value for an appearance, speech, or article.”

Additionally, the rules define a speech as “an address, oration, talk, lecture, or other form of oral presentation, whether delivered in person, transmitted electronically, recorded, or broadcast over the media.”

Scherb added that Boebert would have to report any income from the endeavor.

“Even if the House Ethics Committee provides guidance that sitting members of Congress may appear on Cameo, the maximum outside income limit for House members is $31,815 currently, so she would have to abide by that limit,” he said.

Santos and Gaetz both signed up for Cameo soon after they left office. Santos, who represented a New York district, was expelled from the House late last year over allegations of campaign finance improprieties. Gaetz, meanwhile, resigned from Congress last week after President-elect Donald Trump announced he planned to nominate the Florida lawmaker as attorney general, but Gaetz withdrew amid allegations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl. He joined Cameo the next day.

Tags

PREV

PREVIOUS

What Trump's Cabinet picks say about his coming presidency | Vince Bzdek

There is a book I read to my kids when they were about 4 years old called “The Mixed Up Chameleon.” One day the chameleon discovers it can change not only its color but its shape and size, too. When it sees different animals in the zoo, it immediately wants to be like them. And […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Colorado's Jason Crow, House panel urge Secret Service reforms after Trump assassination attempts

The Colorado lawmaker who has helped lead an investigation into the Secret Service’s failures following two assassination attempts aimed at Donald Trump this summer said the panel’s detailed reform recommendations will be a step toward restoring trust in the agency. U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, an Aurora Democrat and ranking member on a bipartisan House task […]


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests