Covert Chinese accounts are posing as American supporters of former President Donald J. Trump online, spreading conspiracy theories, fueling domestic divisions, and attacking President Biden ahead of the upcoming election in November. This revelation comes from researchers and government officials who have uncovered this insidious tactic.
The accounts represent a potential shift in China’s strategy to influence American politics, specifically targeting candidates and parties, including Mr. Biden. This approach mirrors Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, aiming to exploit partisan divides to undermine the Biden administration’s policies.
These Chinese accounts, disguised as fervent Trump supporters, have been sharing fake images of Mr. Biden, spreading misinformation about him being a Satanist pedophile, and promoting pro-Trump slogans. This sophisticated effort to impersonate American citizens while engaging with genuine users has raised concerns among experts.
The Chinese government’s long-running network of accounts, known as Spamouflage, has been linked to this new activity. These accounts, previously posting pro-Beijing content in Mandarin, have now resurfaced as seemingly authentic Americans writing in English.
Despite China’s denial of interfering in other countries’ affairs, their efforts to influence the upcoming election have already raised alarms within the American government. With the use of more subtle and sophisticated tactics, experts fear that China’s influence campaign could gain traction and impact the election outcome.
As online disinformation experts express growing anxiety about the months leading up to the election, it is evident that foreign interference in American politics remains a significant concern. The persistence of China’s efforts, despite previous takedowns by social media platforms, underscores the ongoing battle against disinformation and foreign influence.
