Elon Musk’s X paying users spread false US election info using AI images: report

The US presidential election is heating up between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and social media platforms like X, owned by Elon Musk, are becoming breeding grounds for misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Some users are capitalizing on X's revised revenue model, which rewards accounts based on engagement from premium users, to earn thousands of dollars by sharing misleading content.

According to the BBC report, accounts like Freedom Uncut, with 11 million views, and Brown Eyed Susan, with over 200,000 followers, are raking in the dough by posting AI-generated images, memes, and provocative content.

They claim to interact with US politicians, discussing ways to influence public opinion, but maintain they're independent actors .

X's lack of specific guidelines on misinformation monetization raises concerns about its role in amplifying damaging narratives.

Influencers are not only monetising their own content but also claim to interact with US politicians, including congressional candidates, who reach out for social media support. Freedom Uncut and Brown Eyed Susan both confirmed that political figures have engaged them to discuss memes, AI images, and other digital content aimed at influencing public opinion.

Beyond X, some of these posts—particularly the more sensational and misleading ones—spill over to platforms with larger audiences, such as Facebook and TikTok. For instance, a doctored image of Kamala Harris as a McDonald’s worker sparked debate across multiple social media platforms. Initially shared by an account named The Infinite Dude, who admitted to creating it as an “experiment,” the image incited a wave of unfounded accusations from both political camps.

Critics argue this could have serious repercussions for US electoral integrity. With the election just around the corner, November 5, X's approach to monetized misinformation will likely remain a contentious issue .