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A significant number of influential social media accounts promoting pro-Trump and MAGA-aligned content on the platform X are operated by individuals based outside the United States. These accounts, which have amassed large followings, frequently post on divisive topics in American politics, including immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, shaping online discourse despite their international origins.
The content often amplifies narratives that sow social and political division. These operators, sometimes referred to as "ambassadors of ideology," leverage the platform's features to reach a wide audience. Changes to X since its acquisition by Elon Musk, including shifts in content moderation and algorithmic priorities, have reportedly created an environment more conducive to the spread of such content. The phenomenon is not limited to the US; observers have noted how Elon Musk's platform is boosting the British right, with the tech CEO personally weighing in on UK political debates.
This landscape of foreign-based political influencing is complex and multilayered. In a separate development, U.S. officials revealed that some American right-wing influencers were unwittingly involved in a covert propaganda operation linked to Russia. This campaign allegedly paid influencers to create content aligned with Kremlin interests, blurring the lines between organic political commentary and state-sponsored disinformation.
The strategic use of influencers to promote political beliefs is a growing field of study. Researchers are increasingly analyzing how these actors use social media to build networks and mobilize support for ideological causes. A recent Pew Research Center study highlights the significant role that news influencers play on the X platform, establishing them as key figures in a shifting media ecosystem. For the average user, these developments make it increasingly difficult to discern the authenticity and origin of online political information, underscoring the challenges of navigating an increasingly globalized and polarized digital public square.
