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yesterday

Study Finds Coordinated Inauthentic Accounts Drove False Nazi and MAGA Narratives About Taylor Swift

Researchers say the operation used rage-bait that moved from fringe forums to mainstream feeds by triggering fans to engage.

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

  • Behavioral-intelligence firm GUDEA analyzed more than 24,000 posts by about 18,000 accounts across 14 platforms in the two weeks after the album’s release.
  • Just 3.77% of accounts drove 28% of the conversation, with the cluster pushing the most inflammatory claims about Nazism, MAGA ties and “trad” framing.
  • Two surges were identified: Oct. 6–7 saw roughly 35% bot-like activity, and Oct. 13–14 rose to about 40% inauthentic accounts with conspiracist content comprising 73.9% of discussion.
  • The narratives focused on selective lyrics and imagery, including a lightning-bolt necklace compared to SS insignia, originating on forums such as 4chan and KiwiFarms before spreading to major apps.
  • GUDEA reported significant overlap with accounts tied to a prior astroturf campaign against Blake Lively, did not identify the operators or motive, and noted Swift’s representatives did not immediately comment.