Some users on the social media platform X claim they are earning significant financial rewards—ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars—by disseminating content that includes election misinformation, AI-generated images, and unfounded conspiracy theories. The BBC uncovered networks involving numerous accounts that frequently share each other’s posts, mixing accurate information with falsehoods to enhance their visibility and revenue.

These users often communicate through forums and group chats to coordinate their sharing efforts. One participant noted, “It’s a way of trying to help each other out.” The networks vary in political support, with some backing Donald Trump, others Kamala Harris, and some remaining independent. Although these accounts assert they are not affiliated with official campaigns, they have reportedly attracted attention from U.S. politicians seeking favorable posts.

On October 9, X updated its payment structure to reward eligible accounts based on engagement metrics from premium users—such as likes and shares—rather than the number of advertisements accompanying their posts. Unlike many other social media platforms that enforce strict policies against misinformation, X lacks comprehensive guidelines on this issue.

Despite having a smaller user base than some competitors, X significantly influences political discourse, raising concerns about whether the platform incentivizes the sharing of sensational claims during a pivotal time for U.S. politics. An examination of earnings reported by users indicated they were plausible based on engagement metrics.

Among the misleading claims circulated were allegations of election fraud debunked by authorities and extreme accusations against presidential candidates. Some deceptive posts on X have also spread to larger platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

One user created an altered image depicting Kamala Harris working at McDonald’s in her youth, which led to unfounded assertions that the Democratic Party was manipulating images of its candidate. Conspiracy theories about a recent assassination attempt on Trump also gained traction across various sites.

While X has not publicly addressed whether it encourages such postings or responded to requests for an interview with Elon Musk, users continue to engage actively in controversial discussions. One content creator, operating under the name Freedom Uncut, spends extensive hours posting about the election and believes that provocative content attracts views and can become lucrative.

Another user known as Brown Eyed Susan supports Kamala Harris with frequent posts that sometimes yield millions of views. She did not initially aim to monetize her account but now earns money due to a blue tick designation that marks her profile as one belonging to a paid user.

Both Freedom Uncut and Susan acknowledge receiving outreach from local politicians seeking online support. The dynamic nature of these networks raises questions about their potential influence on the upcoming election as voters prepare for decision-making at the polls.