With the U.S. presidential election fast approaching, several users on X, formerly known as Twitter, are reportedly profiting from spreading election misinformation and conspiracy theories, with some claiming to make thousands of dollars through the platform’s updated monetization model. This change, implemented on October 9, allows accounts to earn money based on engagement from premium users — including likes, shares, and comments — instead of relying solely on ad views. The BBC recently uncovered coordinated networks of accounts dedicated to amplifying election-related misinformation, with participants using group chats and online forums to boost each other's posts and maximize engagement.
The misinformation shared by these accounts spans the political spectrum, with some networks supporting Republican candidate Donald Trump, others backing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, and some maintaining an independent stance. Despite lacking official campaign affiliations, these accounts have reportedly been approached by political candidates, including congressional hopefuls, looking to secure favorable posts. In an environment where provocative content can drive high engagement, questions have arisen over whether X's monetization policies are unintentionally incentivizing the spread of misleading information just as the U.S. heads into a critical voting period.
Examples of the misinformation circulating include a manipulated image suggesting that Kamala Harris worked at a McDonald’s as a young woman, which led to further false claims of Democratic Party image alterations. In another case, a conspiracy theory about an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July gained traction, spreading across multiple social media platforms. Even high-profile figures have contributed to the misinformation landscape. Donald Trump himself shared an AI-generated image of Taylor Swift clad in American colors, falsely implying her endorsement. Swift initially remained silent on the post, but later countered by endorsing Harris, aligning herself publicly with Trump’s opponent.
In conversations with the BBC, one X user, who requested anonymity, described working up to 16 hours a day posting election-related content. He claimed to have amassed approximately 11 million views over recent months and expressed a preference for Trump, despite identifying as independent. Earnings for his posts reportedly reach the "low thousands" each month, and he noted that other users in his network have earned five-figure sums. With such revenue potential, the user now views his activities on X as a legitimate job.
The user dismissed concerns about the potential impact of misinformation on the elections, suggesting that government misinformation poses a greater issue than posts circulating on social media. He further stated, “I think that a lot of the Trump support comes from that.” Notably, he claimed that it’s “very common” for local politicians to reach out to X influencers for campaign support, highlighting how the platform’s role in shaping political narratives extends beyond individual posts and reaches into broader campaign strategies.
Amid these developments, experts have raised concerns about the ability of social media platforms to effectively combat misinformation during election cycles. While X remains smaller than platforms like Facebook and TikTok, its influence in political discourse is significant. Some of the content from X has already reached a wider audience through these larger platforms, raising questions about the influence of misleading narratives on voter perceptions and overall trust in the electoral process.
