The politician started a smear campaign against his opponent.
smear campaign
idiomAn effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
The company launched a smear campaign to ruin the reputation of the journalist who exposed their illegal activities.
Fearing a loss of public support, the rival faction initiated a calculated smear campaign designed to discredit the leader's integrity and undermine her long-standing authority.
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rumor campaign
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
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whisper campaign
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.