Pro-Trump influencers unmasked as foreign actors on social media: Here's how X exposed them

A new transparency feature on social media platform X has exposed several top MAGA-aligned influencers as being based outside the United States. The feature, called “About This Account,” shows details such as account location, creation date and how the app was downloaded.

When the tool went live, users investigating prominent right-wing accounts discovered that many were operated from Russia, India, Nigeria and Eastern Europe. For example, the account MAGANationX, which has nearly 400,000 followers and a profile claiming to support “We The People,” was traced to Eastern Europe.

Another account, IvankaNews_, with one million followers and a bio focused on immigration and support for Donald Trump, was found to be based in Nigeria.

“This is easily one of the greatest days on this platform,” tweeted Democratic influencer Harry Sisson. “Seeing all of these MAGA accounts get exposed as foreign actors trying to destroy the United States is a complete vindication of Democrats, like myself and many on here, who have been warning about this.”

X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, admitted that the tool has some technical limitations, such as users masking their location with VPNs. The feature was briefly taken down just hours after going live, but it has since been reinstated.

The revelations raise serious questions about foreign influence and disinformation campaigns in American politics, echoing concerns from the 2016 election and other recent digital operations. “Just think about the foreign influence operations that are happening right now on this app,” said journalist Brett Meiselas in a video. “Think about the lawmakers who feel pressured by accounts like this. Think about the disinformation that spreads as a result of all these accounts out there.”

Research firm the Centre for Information Resilience had previously flagged many of the accounts linked to the MAGA movement as possibly being backed by foreign sources. With many accounts now found to originate outside the U.S., users and analysts are questioning the extent to which external actors are shaping online political discourse in America.