Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris: How X users are earning thousands off AI images, conspiracy theories

While former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are pulling no punches in the battle for the White House, some social media users are riding the wave to rake in the moolah – thanks to the policy of X. Some users on X, a popular social media platform owned by Elon Musk, are reportedly earning thousands of dollars by sharing misinformation, AI-generated images, and conspiracy theories related to the US election.

As of October 9, X revised its revenue model, rewarding eligible accounts based on engagement from premium users—likes, shares, and comments—instead of ads. This shift has incentivised networks of accounts, from both pro-Trump and pro-Kamala Harris groups, to amplify each other's content.

Many social media platforms demonetise or suspend accounts promoting falsehoods, but X lacks specific guidelines addressing misinformation monetisation.

This leaves room for users to post provocative content without risking their revenue streams, sparking questions about the role of X in amplifying potentially damaging narratives during a sensitive election cycle.

BBC analysis of self-reported earnings of these X users shows some are making several thousand dollars per month.

Freedom Uncut, an X user with 11 million views in recent months, explained that his content—often AI-generated images and political memes—serves as a form of “art” intended to provoke discussion. “It’s a job at this point,” he said, adding that he prefers Donald Trump over Kamala Harris. Despite his reluctance to reveal his real identity due to safety concerns, Freedom Uncut is part of a large network that collaborates to maximise each member’s content visibility, reported BBC. He spends up to 16 hours a day posting, resharing, and discussing strategies in online group chats with other creators, according to the report.

Opposing these pro-Trump accounts are users like Brown Eyed Susan, who supports Kamala Harris and boasts of more than 200,000 followers on X. Susan said she never expected her reach to “explode” or to earn revenue. But since X awarded her a blue tick, she now receives monthly payments of a few hundred dollars.

These 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, according to BBC. However, both stressed they are independent actors and not officially aligned with any campaign.

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 that X’s monetization policy, coupled with its leniency on misinformation, could have serious repercussions for US electoral integrity. X’s approach to monetised misinformation will likely remain a point of contention. The platform’s policies could influence public perception and discourse, with possible real-world implications when voters head to the polling booths on November 5.