Particle.news
Download on the App Store
17 ARTICLES
·
5d ago

Study Finds Bot-Like Network Drove False Nazi/MAGA Claims About Taylor Swift

Researchers say the manipulation worked by provoking rebuttals that platforms then boosted.

© Sergii Figurnyi
Image
The report also found overlap between accounts pushing anti-Swift narratives and those involved in a separate smear campaign targeting Blake lively.
Image

Overview

  • Behavioral intelligence firm GUDEA analyzed 24,679 posts from 18,213 accounts across 14 platforms between Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, finding that 3.77% of accounts generated 28% of the discourse.
  • Two surges stood out: Oct. 6–7 with roughly 35% bot-like posts, and Oct. 13–14 with about 40% inauthentic activity as conspiracist content reached 73.9% of the conversation.
  • False claims that referenced a lightning‑bolt necklace and selective lyrics originated on forums such as 4chan and KiwiFarms before spreading widely on mainstream apps.
  • GUDEA reported significant overlap between accounts driving the Swift narrative and those in an earlier campaign against Blake Lively, indicating a cross‑event amplification network.
  • The report did not identify who ran the operation or why, and Swift’s representatives had not offered a substantive public response in the coverage citing the study.