In a surprising twist that has sent shockwaves through the American political social media landscape, Elon Musk’s X platform has inadvertently unmasked the foreign origins of numerous influential accounts that have long championed the “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) movement. The revelation, made possible by a newly introduced transparency tool, has ignited heated debate about the authenticity of online political discourse and the ease with which foreign actors can profit from America’s divisions.
On Friday, November 22, 2025, X rolled out a new feature called “About This Account.” The tool allows users to see where an account was based when it joined the site, how many times it has changed its username, and the method used to download the X app. While intended as a step toward greater transparency, the feature’s debut quickly turned into a digital gold rush as users—especially those with strong political leanings—began investigating the backgrounds of their ideological opponents.
What they found was startling. According to The Daily Beast and The Independent, dozens of popular right-wing and MAGA-aligned influencer accounts, often presenting themselves as authentic American voices, were actually started in far-flung places such as India, Russia, Nigeria, Eastern Europe, and even Bangladesh. The account "MAGANationX," for instance, which boasts nearly 400,000 followers and describes itself as the "Patriot Voice for We The People," was revealed to have originated in Eastern Europe. Similarly, "MAGA Scope," featuring an image of Donald Trump in a tuxedo, was launched from Nigeria in 2024. Another notable example is the "America First" account, with 67,000 followers, which was found to be based in Bangladesh.
This sudden exposure led to jubilant reactions from some on the political left. Harry Sisson, a Gen-Z Democratic influencer with millions of followers, declared on social media, “This is easily one of the greatest days on this platform. 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.” Sisson went so far as to compile his own list of foreign-based accounts masquerading as American conservatives.
Micah Erfan, a law student and left-wing influencer, echoed this sentiment, writing, “It’s looking like half of their large accounts were foreigners posing as Americans all along.” The sense of vindication was palpable among those who have long alleged that foreign influence operations were distorting American political conversations online.
But the story is not without its complications. Some users quickly pointed out that the location data displayed by "About This Account" could be affected by the use of VPNs (virtual private networks), which allow users to mask their true geographical location. Nikita Bier, X’s head of product development, acknowledged this issue, admitting the feature had “a few rough edges” and promising that the company would work to resolve any discrepancies caused by VPN usage. Bier assured users that X was committed to smoothing out these problems, stating, “We’re planning to resolve these discrepancies and improve the feature.”
Interestingly, the feature was briefly removed from the platform just hours after its initial launch, sparking rumors that X was reacting to the uproar over the unmasking of its most prominent right-wing accounts. However, the tool was reinstated by Sunday, November 24, 2025, according to user reports and screenshots.
The implications of these revelations are far-reaching. For years, social media platforms have struggled to contain the influence of foreign actors seeking to meddle in U.S. politics. The Centre for Information Resilience, an independent nonprofit research group, found during the 2024 election cycle that more than a dozen accounts had stolen photos of European models and influencers, using them to pose as young, attractive women supporting Trump and the broader MAGA movement. The same organization flagged the ongoing use of imposter accounts to manufacture support for political ideologies, both in America and abroad.
Some of these accounts, it turns out, may not be acting alone. Last year, the Department of Justice discovered that several popular right-wing influencers were, reportedly, unwittingly working for a company that was actually a Russian influence operation. This meant that these influencers were taking payment from a Russian company to amplify their ideas, further muddying the waters around the authenticity of online political speech.
Ed Krassenstein, a liberal influencer, speculated that "it’s almost as if they are working for foreign governments," though he acknowledged that there is no concrete proof for any specific account. Author and academic Adam Cochran went further, remarking, “You got a peek behind the curtain at just how much of the MAGA hatred is just Russian propaganda.” These statements highlight a growing suspicion among some Americans that foreign adversaries are actively stoking division for their own gain.
Meanwhile, journalist and MeidasTouch co-founder Brett Meiselas offered a sobering perspective on the broader impact of these revelations. In a video posted to social media, he urged viewers to “think about the foreign influence operations that are happening right now on this app. 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.”
But why would foreign actors be so invested in American political discourse? The answer, at least in part, is financial. X pays content creators based on the engagement their posts receive from verified premium accounts. For users in countries like Nigeria or Bangladesh, the American dollars earned from driving engagement can be a significant source of income. The divisive nature of U.S. politics provides fertile ground for such engagement, incentivizing the creation of provocative and polarizing content.
The phenomenon is not entirely new. During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump and several close associates were investigated for conspiracy or coordination with Russia, resulting in the indictment of two campaign members. The specter of foreign interference has loomed over American politics ever since, with social media platforms serving as both battleground and amplifier for these covert operations.
As of now, X’s “About This Account” feature remains active, continuing to provide users with a rare glimpse into the origins of the voices shaping the nation’s political narrative. While the tool is not without its flaws, its unintended consequences have sparked a much-needed conversation about authenticity, influence, and the true cost of America’s online political wars.
The revelations from X’s transparency feature have laid bare the tangled web of identities, interests, and incentives that define political discourse in the digital age. For many, it’s a wake-up call—and a reminder that in the world of social media, not everything is as it seems.
