In a surprising move, Representative Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, has ventured into uncharted territory by becoming the first sitting member of Congress to join Cameo, a platform that allows celebrities to sell personalized videos to their fans.
However, her endeavor may not yield the financial windfall she anticipates.
As reported by Newsweek, Boebert's Cameo account was active on Monday morning, offering supporters the opportunity to purchase $250 videos of her delivering birthday messages, answering questions, or providing advice. By the afternoon, however, the option to buy a video from Boebert had vanished, replaced with a message stating, "Lauren Boebert isn't available right now." Cameo confirmed the authenticity of the account when contacted on Monday.
Boebert's foray into Cameo follows closely on the heels of former Representative Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, who joined the platform after resigning from Congress and withdrawing his bid to become President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. The platform has proven lucrative for Republican politicians. For instance, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin revealed during her 2022 Congressional bid that she had sold over $200,000 worth of videos. Similarly, former Representative George Santos disclosed to CNN that he had sold 1,200 videos at $350 each, amassing over $400,000, after his expulsion from Congress.
However, Boebert's potential earnings on the platform are likely to be curtailed by stringent House rules regarding the amount of outside income sitting members of Congress can earn. Currently, House members are only permitted to earn $31,815 in outside income. This would equate to approximately 127 Cameo videos at $250 each, a far cry from the earnings of politicians not currently in office.
As the first active member of Congress to join Cameo, Boebert is navigating uncharted waters. The House Ethics Committee has yet to publicly comment on whether members of Congress are permitted to have a Cameo account. The House has strict rules regarding outside income for its members, including a ban on honoraria related to their Congressional membership. This ban prevents members of Congress from accepting "payment of money or thing of value for an appearance, speech, or article." It remains unclear whether this prohibition extends to Cameo videos.
There are exceptions to these rules, however, such as qualified individuals speaking at religious ceremonies or paid engagements related to entertainment. Boebert's Cameo page identifies her as a politician but omits her official title. The page indicates that she joined the platform on November 23. In an introductory video posted on the webpage, Boebert expressed her excitement about joining another platform where she can directly connect with "supporters from all over the world."
Boebert's venture into Cameo raises questions about the intersection of politics and entertainment, and whether the rules governing outside income for members of Congress need to be revisited in light of new digital platforms. It also underscores the innovative ways in which politicians are seeking to connect with their supporters and generate income.
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