The Health and Human Services department canceled an ad campaign meant to feature celebrities to discuss COVID-19 after opposition by Democratic lawmakers prompted an internal review.
The review, which received input from career public servants, concluded the ad campaign did not meet the goals of raising health awareness to the public.
“The review team was provided a briefing on the original campaign strategy to use (the) entertainment industry influence to reach targeted audiences with public health messaging. A new approach for the campaign was proposed and discussed,” Sarah Arbes, the HHS assistant secretary for legislation, wrote on Friday to Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. “The work with members of the entertainment industry conducted by Atlas Research will not continue and that contract will be canceled.”
According to Politico, the $15 million contract with Atlas Research is part of a larger $300 million taxpayer-funded campaign to help raise awareness and spread positive messages during the coronavirus pandemic, which has now infected over 11 million people in the country.
For the campaign, hundreds of celebrities were vetted for their political views ahead of their participation. Actor Dennis Quaid, gospel singer Cece Winans, and Hasidic singer Shulem Lemmer pulled out of the campaign, saying they only wanted to boost public health. Comedian George Lopez’s PSA was canceled over his criticism of President Trump.
Democrats praised the administration’s decision to cancel the contract, referring to it as a “thinly-veiled propaganda campaign to try to help President Trump politically.”
“We are pleased that following our investigation, HHS finally pulled the plug on this corrupt scheme,” said Krishnamoorthi, along with Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jim Clyburn, in a statement. “Accurate, reliable information must be a critical part of the federal government’s coronavirus response and should not be tainted by inappropriate political messaging.”
Atlas expressed disappointment in the move, touting their track record of working with multiple administrations.
“It is unfortunate that the contract was canceled, as much of the work we were focused on would have been beneficial as the country continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company said. “We hope to have another opportunity to serve our fellow citizens by delivering life-saving public health messages in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic.”
