astroturfing

From AstroTurf (“a synthetic substitute for grass”), a play on grass roots, as in “fake grass roots”. Attributed to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in an unidentified 1985 public statement: "[A] fellow from Texas can tell the difference between grassroots and Astroturf."[1]

astroturfing (uncountable)

1. (originally US politics, now social media, marketing) The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a "grass-roots" event – i.e., a spontaneous upwelling of public opinion.
   • 2010 October 25, Monbiot, George, “The Tea Party movement: deluded and inspired by billionaires”, in The Guardian‎:

     An Astroturf campaign is a fake grassroots movement: it purports to be a spontaneous uprising of concerned citizens, but in reality it is founded and funded by elite interests. Some Astroturf campaigns have no grassroots component at all. Others catalyse and direct real mobilisations.

• front organization

• astroturf
• astroturfer