A recent report has revealed that MAGA operatives are stealing photos of European influencers and using them to advance pro-Trump propaganda on fake X (formerly Twitter) accounts. This disturbing practice involves creating false personas with the stolen images to spread pro-Trump messages and conspiracy theories.
Luna, a 32-year-old self-identified “MAGA Trump supporter” from Wisconsin, has amassed a significant following since joining X in March. Her account, @Luna_2K24, has been used to promote Trump’s re-election campaign and spread various conspiracy theories. One post, which featured a beach selfie, was viewed by around 54,000 people. However, according to CNN, Luna is not a real person. The images used on this account belong to Debbie Nederlof, a German fashion influencer who lives in Germany and is not involved in U.S. politics.
When CNN contacted Nederlof, a trained optician and single mother working multiple jobs, she expressed her frustration. “To be honest, ‘what the f**k?’ was my reaction,” she said. “I have nothing to do with the United States or Trump. Why would my pictures be used for this?”
Nederlof is among 17 real European women—fashion and beauty influencers from countries including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Russia—whose images have been stolen to support Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, on X. This finding comes from a CNN investigation in collaboration with the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), an organization dedicated to exposing disinformation and human rights abuses.
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The investigation identified 56 fake X accounts using a combination of reverse image search tools and digital sleuthing. These accounts display a pattern of inauthentic behavior, using stolen or AI-generated photos of attractive women to promote Trump’s candidacy. Many of the images have been manipulated to include MAGA slogans and other pro-Trump messages.
Experts suggest this may be only a fraction of a larger, coordinated effort. The accounts often post similar messages with English language errors, a potential sign of foreign interference. Additionally, many of these accounts have quickly gained followers and are marked with blue check marks—suggesting they have been verified despite using stolen images.
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now X, in October 2022, the platform has faced growing scrutiny over its handling of misinformation and impersonation. The MAGA misinformation-industrial complex has intensified its activities on the site, exploiting these weaknesses. Meanwhile, the European Commission is investigating X’s adherence to the Digital Services Act, which aims to address harmful online practices and enhance accountability.
Among the European women affected is Demi Maric, a 27-year-old Instagram influencer from Amsterdam. Her photos have been used by a fake MAGA account named Gabriela. Maric, who has faced legal troubles due to her stolen images, described the situation as unsettling. “It feels weird that I have to be part of a lawsuit even though I had nothing to do with it,” she told CNN.
Kamilla Broberg, a 30-year-old Danish influencer, has also been targeted. Her photos have been misused by a fake pro-Trump account. “I have never even been to the US,” she said, expressing her dismay over the exploitation of her images for political purposes.
The misuse of these images highlights the growing problem of online impersonation and its real-world consequences, including reputational damage and emotional stress. The systematic nature of these operations suggests an orchestrated effort to influence voters by creating seemingly relatable personas.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue underscores the ongoing challenges in combating disinformation and protecting individuals’ identities online. With the role of social media in political campaigns under scrutiny, the need for effective measures to prevent such abuses has never been more pressing.
CNN reached out to X for comment but did not receive a response, the network reported.
