From Trump to AfD: Musk’s political footprint on X
A 3D-printed miniature model of Elon Musk and the X logo are seen in this illustration taken Jan. 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
When Elon Musk purchased Twitter, now rebranded as X, he acquired more than just a social media company—he gained access to one of the most comprehensive, real-time datasets on global human behavior. This is not just a tool for business—it's a lever of power that, when wielded effectively, can influence elections, sway public discourse, and redefine geopolitical narratives.
The scope of this data is staggering. X provides Musk with deep insights into user engagement, political discourse, advertising effectiveness, bot activity, algorithmic behavior, and even private interactions on the platform.
Musk now holds the keys to detailed analytics on how people engage with content: who likes, shares, or comments on what topics, how long users stay on the platform, and which narratives are gaining traction. He can track hashtag virality, search trends, and political sentiment in real-time. Moreover, the data available to him extends to monetization metrics, advertising targeting, and algorithmic performance, allowing for the fine-tuned engineering of platform visibility. Essentially, Musk has access to a continuously updating map of public opinion, capable of being analyzed, adjusted, and exploited.
The mechanics of influence: Algorithmic control and policy shaping
Musk’s influence over the platform does not stop at passive observation. His control extends into direct and indirect manipulation through a combination of content moderation policies, algorithmic adjustments, and selective enforcement of platform rules. The interplay of these tools allows him to amplify or suppress specific narratives, benefiting certain political agendas while sidelining others.
The X algorithm determines which content appears in user feeds, which trends rise, and which voices gain traction. By adjusting these algorithmic levers, Musk and his team can amplify particular narratives while ensuring that opposing viewpoints receive less visibility. For example, through subtle modifications to engagement metrics, X can prioritize tweets from favored political figures, ensuring they reach millions more users than their opponents.x
Shadow banning—where certain accounts experience reduced reach without outright bans—remains a contentious issue. While Musk has publicly denounced this practice, evidence suggests that the platform still employs forms of visibility reduction. By determining who gets amplified and who gets buried, Musk wields an invisible yet potent form of censorship.
Content moderation remains another crucial tool in shaping political discourse. X controls the application of misinformation labels, Community Notes, and content takedowns. Inconsistent enforcement can allow certain political figures to spread unchecked disinformation while penalizing others for minor infractions. Additionally, the use of fact-checking mechanisms, such as Community Notes, can be selectively applied to target or shield political allies.
This extends to the enforcement of bot activity and automated networks. Musk has the ability to allow politically aligned bot networks to flourish while aggressively cracking down on opposition accounts. The same goes for content restrictions imposed by governments—Musk can selectively comply or refuse takedown requests, influencing political narratives in authoritarian and democratic states alike.
Musk’s political meddling: Trump, the UK, and Germany
Musk’s political ambitions have always been apparent, but his direct influence on elections is becoming increasingly visible. His control of X provides him with an unparalleled ability to shape discourse in key political battlegrounds.
Musk’s platform has played a pivotal role in rehabilitating Donald Trump’s online presence. After being banned from Twitter following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Trump was reinstated by Musk’s decision, allowing him to return to X’s massive audience. But Musk’s endorsement of Trump goes beyond reinstatement—algorithmic tweaks ensure that pro-Trump content enjoys disproportionate visibility. Simultaneously, Musk’s public statements and interactions have signaled a growing alignment with right-wing politics, further emboldening Trump’s base.
Beyond organic content, the advertising structure of X has also shifted under Musk’s leadership, allowing hyper-targeted political ads that serve as sophisticated tools for voter influence. By leveraging behavioral data, Trump-aligned campaigns can push personalized messaging to potential supporters while ensuring that opposing voices face algorithmic throttling.
Musk’s reach extends beyond the U.S. election cycle. In the UK, where political instability and culture wars dominate the discourse, X has become a powerful tool for influencing public perception. Right-wing figures in Britain, particularly those aligned with populist and anti-establishment rhetoric, have seen increased engagement and algorithmic prioritization. Figures like Nigel Farage and others who champion Brexit-style nationalism have enjoyed outsized exposure on the platform, aided by Musk’s frequent interactions and algorithmic adjustments.
Similarly, in Germany, Musk’s approach has facilitated a shift in political discourse. The rise of far-right sentiment, particularly through parties like the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), has been fueled by the amplification of narratives that thrive on X’s engagement-driven algorithm. Musk’s anti-censorship rhetoric has led to looser moderation of extremist content, creating a fertile ground for disinformation and radicalization.
Through a combination of selective moderation, algorithmic control, and direct interactions, Musk is not just passively observing political movements—he is actively engineering them.
The future of X as a political weapon
Musk’s ownership of X has transformed the platform into a political superweapon. His ability to manipulate discourse, control visibility, and shape global narratives puts him in a uniquely powerful position—one that extends far beyond traditional media influence. Unlike newspapers or television networks, which are bound by regulatory oversight, X operates with virtually no external accountability, allowing Musk to dictate the rules of engagement.
If left unchecked, Musk’s control over X could mark the beginning of a new era in which social media platforms are not just spaces for political debate but active players in shaping election outcomes and policy landscapes. The question is no longer whether Musk can influence global politics—he already does. The real question is: How far will he go?
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