Indian-Based X Accounts Behind Pro-Trump Posts, Raising Concerns Over Cross-Border Media Manipulation

A new feature launched by X (formerly Twitter) has revealed that several prominent accounts posting highly engaged, pro-Donald Trump content are not located in the United States as they have long claimed, but instead Indian-Based X Accounts are being used , prompting renewed concerns about cross-border online influence and media manipulation.

Over the weekend, X introduced an “about this account” tool, which allows users to view the country or region from which an account most frequently connects. The platform says the information is based on technical signals such as login locations and device patterns.

The feature has prompted significant scrutiny after uncovering that several popular Trump-aligned accounts — some with more than half a million followers — are based abroad despite presenting themselves as American.

One of the most prominent examples is the account @TRUMP_ARMY_, which Donald Trump himself amplified just two days ago by sharing a screenshot of its post celebrating a Supreme Court ruling in his favour. According to X, the account is based in India and has changed its username four times since joining the platform in March 2022. The account regularly presented itself as US-based.

Another widely followed account, @IvankaNews_, which describes itself as a fan account for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, has amassed over one million followers by posting dozens of supportive messages for Trump and the “Make America Great Again” movement. The user previously claimed to have voted in the 2024 US election. However, X’s new feature identifies the account as operating from Nigeria. Records also show it has changed usernames 11 times since 2010.

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X’s new transparency tool has also exposed similar patterns in other political communities. BBC Verify reported that several accounts claiming to be pro-Scottish-independence activists based in Dundee and Glasgow were instead connecting from Iran, with location data pointing specifically to Android devices accessing the platform via the Netherlands and Iran. Following the revelations, these accounts switched their displayed locations to regions rather than countries.

Digital analysts say the findings underscore the vulnerability of political discourse to covert influence operations worldwide. While X has not accused any of the accounts of coordinated manipulation, experts warn that foreign-based accounts presenting themselves as domestic voices can distort public debate, mislead audiences, and artificially amplify political narratives.

The revelations come amid intensified global scrutiny of online political influence networks ahead of major elections in several countries, including the United States.

In addition to promoting pro-Trump content, investigation into these foreign-based accounts has revealed a consistent pattern of support for Israel, further demonstrating their role in amplifying highly partisan narratives across multiple geopolitical issues. Accounts such as @TRUMP_ARMY_ and @IvankaNews_ have frequently posted messages defending Israeli government policies, particularly in relation to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and celebrating Israeli military and diplomatic actions.

Many of these posts coincide with major news events or international developments, suggesting a deliberate strategy to influence public perception and shape discourse in favor of Israeli policies. Analysts note that these accounts often use emotionally charged language, images, and videos to maximize engagement, reinforcing pro-Israel sentiment while simultaneously framing opposing viewpoints negatively. This dual focus—supporting a specific US political figure while promoting a foreign government agenda—demonstrates a sophisticated form of media manipulation, leveraging partisan fervor to push multiple narratives simultaneously.

Social media researchers warn that such activity can distort online debate by creating the illusion of widespread grassroots support, when in reality the engagement is amplified by a small number of highly active accounts operating from outside the targeted country. By presenting themselves as American voices, these accounts not only mislead audiences but also contribute to the polarization of political discussion, tying domestic political loyalties to international issues in ways that may not reflect genuine public opinion. Experts argue that these patterns underscore the urgent need for transparency and stricter oversight of foreign-based accounts influencing political discourse on platforms like X.

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