Researchers have identified over 400 bot accounts on X that consistently praise key Trump figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Karoline Leavitt.
The bot network's messaging has fractured following Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision not to release additional Epstein files, with some bots contradicting each other on the issue.
This split reaction mirrors the organic division among Trump supporters, suggesting the bots are trained on real MAGA social media accounts.
The White House and relevant agencies have declined to comment on the bot network.
Why this matters: The division within the bot network reveals the limitations of AI-driven propaganda and underscores the challenges of maintaining a unified narrative in the face of complex issues. It also highlights the potential for AI to reflect and amplify existing societal divisions.
A previously unreported network of hundreds of accounts on X is using artificial intelligence to automatically reply to conservatives with positive messages about people in the Trump administration, researchers say. However, the MAGA movement is split over the administration’s handling of files involving deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the accounts’ messaging has broken, offering contradictory statements on the issue and revealing the AI-fueled nature of the accounts.
The network, tracked for NBC News by both the social media analytics company Alethea and researchers at Clemson University, consists of more than 400 identified bot accounts. These accounts offer consistent praise for key Trump figures, particularly support for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
These bots have posted support for conservative figures since 2024. However, since Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she would not release additional Epstein files, the accounts’ messaging has become so split, with some accounts telling different users opposite opinions almost concurrently. C. Shawn Eib, Alethea’s head of investigations, said, “This split reaction mimics the organic reaction among supporters of Trump’s second administration,”
Social media has been infested with inauthentic accounts designed to sway popular opinion. The White House declined to comment, and the Department of Health and Human Services and X did not respond to requests for comment.
Takeaways:
AI-driven bot networks can be effective in amplifying specific messages but struggle with nuanced or controversial topics.
The behavior of these bots often reflects the sentiments and divisions within the real-world communities they are mimicking.
Social media platforms remain vulnerable to inauthentic accounts that can sway popular opinion.
Q: Who is behind the MAGA bot network on X?
It's unclear who is behind the network or which AI chatbot was used to power it.
Q: How were the bot accounts identified?
Researchers declined to share specifics but noted the accounts were created in batches around specific dates, used irrelevant hashtags, and repeated similarly worded sentiments.
Q: What was the original purpose of the bot network?
The bots were initially used to support Trump and other Republicans, posting positive messages and expressing excitement for Trump to take office.
AI-driven social media campaigns are not always as unified or effective as they may seem.
Bots can reflect and amplify existing divisions within communities.
Be critical of information you see online, especially from accounts with few followers or repetitive messaging.
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