Covert Chinese Accounts Masquerading as American Trump Supporters to Influence US Politics
In a surprising turn of events, researchers and government officials have uncovered a covert operation by Chinese accounts posing as American supporters of former President Donald J. Trump. These accounts are promoting conspiracy theories, stoking domestic divisions, and attacking President Biden ahead of the upcoming election in November.
This strategic shift in tactics by Beijing indicates a new approach to influencing American politics, with a focus on targeting specific candidates and parties, including Mr. Biden. The accounts, which mimic fervent Trump fans, have been spreading misinformation about Mr. Biden, including false claims about his age and alleged criminal activities, while promoting Mr. Trump’s agenda.
Experts have linked this new activity to a network of accounts associated with the Chinese government known as Spamouflage. These accounts, which previously posted pro-Beijing content in Mandarin, have now resurfaced posing as real Americans writing in English. The sophistication of this operation has raised concerns about China’s potential impact on the upcoming election.
The Chinese accounts have successfully attracted genuine engagement from users, making it difficult for researchers to identify and counter their influence. This has prompted alarm within the American government, with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence warning about China’s expanding influence campaigns aimed at undermining democracy and sowing doubts about U.S. leadership.
Online disinformation experts are increasingly anxious about the months leading up to the election, as Russia and China employ subtle tactics to spread propaganda and false narratives. Efforts to combat these tactics are complicated by the lack of moderation on social media platforms, political pushback, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology.
Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to influence Western audiences, China’s recent campaigns have focused on exploiting existing divisions in American politics. By engaging in divisive debates on issues like gay rights, immigration, and crime from a right-wing perspective, these accounts are seeking to sow further discord and confusion among American voters.
As the November election approaches, experts are closely monitoring China’s efforts to influence public opinion in the United States. The persistence of these campaigns, despite efforts by social media platforms to remove inauthentic accounts, underscores the ongoing challenge of combating foreign interference in American politics.
Overall, the emergence of covert Chinese accounts posing as American Trump supporters highlights the evolving landscape of online influence operations and the need for increased vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.
