A Trump campaign consultant created mock websites for Democratic candidates

Don't be fooled, writes The New York Times.

A man who makes videos and digital content for President Trump's re-election campaign reportedly created fake websites for Democratic presidential candidates, including former Vice President Joe Biden, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

Patrick Mauldin, the man behind the legitimate-looking websites, said he built them himself and they are not related to his work with the Trump campaign, although the campaign is aware of them. Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's communications director, said that the campaign thinks highly of Mauldin's and others' work.

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"We appreciate their efforts in their own time with parodies like this that help the cause," Murtagh said.

Biden's faux website, in particular, has gained traction — it has been the most popular Biden website for much of the last three months, the Times reports. It contains GIFs of the Democratic frontrunner touching women and children and mocks some of his past policies such as his support for the Iraq War and his opposition to court-ordered busing in the 1970s. The website reportedly has been successful in duping people — the Times described Mauldin's efforts as "Russian-style disinformation." The website does admit that it's a parody, but only in fine print at the bottom of the page.

Biden's campaign was reportedly aware of the site, but not who was behind it. Read more at The New York Times.