Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback is alleged to have orchestrated an alleged astroturfing operation of fake email accounts, phony X posts and paid-for social media “engagement” to plant friendly stories, respond to critics and “destroy” the reputation of his former hedge-fund boss, according to court filings made public Wednesday.
The 45-page exhibit, filed in October in federal court in Manhattan, lays bare how the 31-year-old long-shot candidate for governor allegedly directed his then-24-year-old campaign treasurer to impersonate concerned investors, manufacture online support and wage what Fishback himself called “war” against Greenlight Capital founder David Einhorn, a matter first reported by Florida Politics.
The texts, ordered released by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer over Fishback’s objections, come from a single day, May 16, 2024, and show the candidate allegedly micromanaging a coordinated deception while running a cash-starved campaign that has raised less than $19,000 and trails front-runner Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds by double digits in polls.
“WTF. My dad will do it then,” Fishback texted campaign treasurer Alex Munguia when he needed an “older voice” for a call. “Dude … I need this now. We are at war.”
Fishback’s actions were allegedly personal. Documents submitted to the court show he repeatedly targeted David Einhorn, the billionaire short-seller he once worked for as a low-level analyst from early 2021 until his abrupt departure in August 2023. Greenlight has dismissed Fishback’s self-described title of “head of macro” as nonexistent; the court documents show Fishback frantically trying to prop up that lie with sock-puppet accounts.
In one alleged scheme, Fishback allegedly scripted an email from a fictitious Gmail account under the name “Richard Lopez,” a supposed Tesla investor, and had Munguia send it to Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman. The fake investor reportedly complained that Einhorn was shorting Tesla again and demanded a debate between Einhorn and “his ex-trader Fishback […] a college dropout that David hired.” Fishback allegedly tried to insert details of a nonexistent “party dinner” where the fake investor supposedly learned of Einhorn’s position.
Another “Lopez” email praised a Free Press article Fishback himself wrote and demanded a follow-up attacking Einhorn. Fishback allegedly had Munguia anonymously pitch NBCUniversal producers on a debate appearance while hiding his own involvement.
When online critics questioned Fishback’s inflated résumé, he allegedly ordered Munguia to fire back from multiple X accounts, complete with screenshots and links. Munguia balked at responding to an account with an anime profile picture. Fishback’s reply: “Yes IDC. Respond to each of them.”
Court documents allege Fishback instructed Munguia to buy 350 likes for an X post touting a since-dismissed lawsuit against Greenlight, and to use a personal credit card and an anonymous email to hide the trail. “Use your personal card — use ANON email for the sign up ok?” Fishback wrote.
The candidate’s texts contain strong language. “We will destroy (this) man,” Fishback wrote of Einhorn. Munguia replied, “Yessir this needs to happen.” After one encouraging response from a reporter, Fishback gushed, “OMG I LOVE YOU,” then added, “No Diddy.” Munguia shot back: “lol we gonna bring this man down.” Fishback: “YES WE ARE….!!!!”
The filings come as Fishback’s legal and financial troubles mount. He lost an arbitration fight with Greenlight, was ordered in January to pay the firm $229,000, and faces potential seizure of assets by U.S. Marshals. His own investment firm, Azoria Capital, has collapsed. A Tesla was repossessed from him in November. His gubernatorial campaign is a punchline, polling in the low 20s and focused on culture-war issues, a total abortion ban, divesting from Israel and a “sin tax” on OnlyFans creators.
The documents provide a rare, unfiltered look at how a struggling political newcomer allegedly tried to manufacture relevance through fraudulent and manipulative practices, according to court filings.
Fishback, a college dropout who once coached high-school debate, has positioned himself as a populist outsider. Tuesday’s filings suggest the outsider allegedly engaged in what could be described as astroturfing to raise his political profile.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include that Florida Politics first reported this topic.
