New York Times: Bolton Used Cambridge Analytica’s Data

The Guardian and the New York Times recently reported that the London-based consulting firm Cambridge Analytica harvested more than 50 million Facebook profiles and assessed them for targeting with political advertising. Days later, Donald Trump fired his national security adviser and selected John Bolton, 69. In 2014, Bolton created a political action committee that paid more than $1 million to Cambridge Analytica for political survey research. The New York Times has the contract, and a whistleblower explains: “The Bolton PAC was obsessed with how America was becoming limp wristed and spineless and it wanted research and messaging for national security issues. That really meant making people more militaristic in their worldview.” The former Cambridge Analytical staff member said Bolton knew that Cambridge Analytica relied on Facebook data to create ads and talking points. Cambridge Analytica’s work is under investigation in both the United States and Britain. Bolton's appointment does not require Senate confirmation. A US special counsel is also investigating whether the Russians interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign with help from the Trump campaign. – YaleGlobal