The Many Faces Of Europe Invasion, The Anonymous X Account Stoking Anti-Immigrant Narratives [Video]

One of the most influential X accounts pushing disinformation about immigrants in Europe has concocted fake personas and companies to mask its operations, which are driven at least partly by financial gain, an RFE/RL investigation found.

The anonymous Europe Invasion racked up billions of impressions exploiting an algorithm that prioritizes engagement over truth — and changed its name in the weeks after being contacted by RFE/RL. Its rise alongside other similar X accounts has coincided with the swelling electoral success of far-right nativist parties in Europe.

RFE/RL’s investigation — which names for the first time individuals directly linked to Europe Invasion — highlights the often murky origins and motives of online disinformation that experts say is used to manipulate public opinion, fuel social divisions, and disrupt democratic processes.

With a steady drumbeat of content portraying Muslim and African immigrants as dangers to society, the account built a following of more than 600,000 followers before changing its screen name …