"There’s evidence of really quite disturbing experiments on American voters, manipulating them with fear-based messaging, targeting the most vulnerable, that seems to be continuing. This is an entire global industry that’s out of control"

Lets be clear this is the explicit purpose of the advertising and public relations industry.

1. Create Art (writing, multimedia etc...) intended to influence viewer

2. Distribute Art via Large Scale Channels

3. Hope that people exposed to it take the action you want them to

For Coca-cola they want you to "Buy Coke"

For AirBnB they want you to book a stay

For Politicians they want you to vote for them

Politicians have always used the media channels of the day to advertise themselves. So it's extremely unclear what is news here aside from the fact that Politicians are following Corporate levels of sophistication for advertising.

I think what it really shows is that Advertising in total is a toxic and corrupting business and should be banned outright for all things.