X’s New Location Tool Reveals Many Pro‑MAGA Accounts Operating Abroad

After a recent update, the social platform X added an "About This Account" feature that displays the country or region where an account is based. The change prompted independent researchers and online investigators to discover that many prominent, pro‑MAGA accounts that appeared to be U.S.‑based are in fact connected to operators in regions such as South Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.

What the location feature does

Nikita Bier, X's head of product, announced the rollout of the tool, which lets users view an account's reported country or region by tapping or clicking the signup date on a profile. Bier framed the update as a step toward protecting "the integrity of the global town square" and said the company plans additional ways to verify account authenticity.

What researchers found

Researchers at NewsGuard and other investigators identified several influential accounts that post heavily about U.S. politics yet appear to be operated from abroad. Some of these accounts have shared misleading or polarizing claims — for example, unfounded allegations about debate moderators — and have large followings that amplify their reach. One widely followed account, @BarronTNews_, displays a profile location of "Mar A Lago" while the tool lists its base as "Eastern Europe (Non‑EU)."

Limits, risks and manipulation

X warns that the location data can be imperfect. Account holders can mask their location using virtual private networks (VPNs), and some internet service providers route traffic through proxies automatically. In some cases, profiles now include notices that the location shown may be inaccurate. Bier also said an update would make the tool nearly 99.99% accurate, a claim that independent parties have not verified.

Experts urge caution. Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust, and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech, noted that location disclosures can be useful initially but that bad actors will adapt. Investigators additionally found examples of fabricated screenshots intended to falsely suggest that legitimate U.S. accounts were operated overseas, complicating verification efforts.

Motivations and implications

It is not always clear why foreign‑based operators run these accounts. Some activity may be state‑sponsored, but many operations appear commercially motivated: accounts that post memes, commentary and videos can monetize engagement. "For the most visible accounts unmasked this week, money is probably the main motivator," Mantzarlis said, while adding that the platform remains a potential target for coordinated influence.

Public reaction and privacy concerns

The disclosure has provoked debate. Some users welcomed more transparency about who is shaping political conversations; others argued the feature intrudes on privacy. One user asked, "Isn’t this kind of an invasion of privacy? No one needs to see this info." The conversation highlights the balance platforms must strike between transparency, safety and individual privacy.

As X continues to refine the tool, users and researchers say the new data will be most valuable when used cautiously and corroborated with additional evidence. The rollout has sharpened scrutiny of how online political influence is created and monetized, and it underscores persistent challenges in policing misinformation and foreign influence online.