Elon Musk sparks debate after hinting at overseas networks behind US political trends

Elon Musk’s social platform X (formerly Twitter) has triggered a major online uproar after a new account-location feature exposed that numerous profiles discussing US politics were based in South Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

The update instantly raised alarms among analysts who warned that foreign-run accounts may be shaping narratives aimed at US audiences.

Researchers at NewsGuard flagged several popular political profiles on X that appeared American but were instead located overseas.

Many of these accounts had been spreading polarizing claims about US elections, including misinformation alleging Democratic interference in a 2024 debate.

X head of product Nikita Bier said the new “About This Account” tool is designed to improve transparency by showing where an account is based, though he acknowledged that VPNs and proxies may limit accuracy.

The revelation intensified debate about authenticity on Musk’s platform. Some accounts supporting conservative figures, including those connected to Trump’s circle, were shown to be operating far from the US despite using American imagery and messaging.

X noted that the feature is part of a broader effort to improve trust, though critics argue it highlights how global networks can influence US conversations in ways Musk must now address.