By John Q. Hosedrinker 
X’s new “about this account” feature has revealed that numerous influential figures within the “Make America great again” (MAGA) movement are operating from outside the United States. This transparency tool exposes account locations, joining dates, and username changes, leading to the discovery of several right-wing influencers based in countries such as Russia, Nigeria, and India, despite presenting themselves as American patriots. User findings included prominent accounts like MAGANationX and IvankaNews, which were revealed to be based in eastern Europe and Nigeria respectively. The new feature has amplified ongoing concerns about foreign actors and misinformation on the platform, issues that have persisted even with the change in ownership and the introduction of AI chatbots like Grok.
Read the original article here
Many prominent Maga personalities on X are based outside US, new tool reveals. It’s truly not a shock to hear that some of the most visible voices in the MAGA movement on X, formerly known as Twitter, are operating from outside the United States. This revelation comes courtesy of a new transparency tool introduced by the platform, which allows users to see the location of an account, its history, and other relevant details.
The immediate reaction, at least from many observers, seemed to be a mix of vindication and a general sense of “told you so.” It wasn’t exactly a well-kept secret that online influence campaigns often have international origins, and this new feature simply confirms long-held suspicions about the nature of some of the most vocal MAGA accounts.
The tool itself is fairly straightforward. It provides information about when an account joined X, where it’s based, and how often the username has been changed. This has already led to some interesting discoveries. Accounts that present themselves as patriotic Americans or devoted supporters of the movement have been revealed to be based in countries like Russia, Nigeria, and India.
The Daily Beast reported on the origins of specific accounts, such as MAGANationX, which, despite its name and content, appears to be operated from Eastern Europe. Another account, IvankaNews, a popular fan account, has been traced back to Nigeria. Other users have also been exposing additional accounts with foreign origins, demonstrating a pattern of misrepresentation.
The implication is clear: these accounts are not just individuals with strong opinions. They are potentially part of coordinated efforts, possibly even paid trolls, aimed at shaping public opinion and spreading propaganda. The fact that they are based in countries with interests that may not align with those of the United States raises serious questions about the motives behind their online activity.
The economic incentives are also worth considering. Running a highly engaging social media account can be profitable in countries where the cost of living is lower. This creates an environment where individuals are incentivized to do whatever it takes to boost engagement, which can include spreading misinformation or promoting divisive content. This kind of monetization strategy makes it less about genuine support and more about financial gains.
This revelation should serve as a wake-up call, but realistically, those most deeply entrenched in the MAGA movement are unlikely to change their views because of this information. The ideology itself, some would argue, embraces an authoritarian approach, and in some ways, aligns with the very entities that are allegedly manipulating them.
The bigger picture points to a more fundamental problem: the rise of misinformation and propaganda on social media. The platform’s algorithm, driven by bots and influencers, tends to prioritize the most toxic and inflammatory voices, thereby pushing those accounts higher on the platform. The irony is not lost on many that the very people who accuse others of being unpatriotic and traitors are often the ones influenced by, or in cahoots with, external actors.
The tool also serves as a reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability on social media platforms. The proliferation of fake accounts, bots, and propaganda has been a long-running problem, exacerbated by recent changes in ownership and management.
This could be an opportunity for media literacy to become more widespread. It has never been more important to be able to assess information critically and to be wary of accounts that may not be what they seem. A healthy dose of skepticism is definitely needed in the digital age, especially when it comes to consuming content on social media.
The question of whether this information will actually change anything remains to be seen. Those already skeptical of the MAGA movement will likely see this as further evidence of their concerns. Those who are part of the movement will probably dismiss it as a hoax or a smear campaign, but for those in the middle, this revelation has the potential to alter the perception of social media and its effect on the U.S.
The core question should be why are these individuals and groups so invested in shaping American public opinion. Who benefits from this, and what are their ultimate goals? The answers to these questions are complex and multifaceted, but this new transparency tool gives us one more clue.