X might be the worst hub for political disclosure in terms of social media platforms. While it’s a platform where politicians make big announcements, journalists break stories, and activists mobilize movements, there’s not much meaningful political feedback. By that, I mean that instead of fostering informed debate, X just amplifies misinformation and justifies false claims.
Misinformation on X thrives for the simple reason that engagement rises above everythings else. The platform’s algorithm prioritizes posts that spark reactions, sometimes called “ragebait.” Outrage fuels retweets and replies, whether the information is true or not.
Now, it’s even easier than ever to create false images or posts with AI. This is why it’s important for X users to verify the information they’re getting and not trust blindly. Before you blame this on a political belief, I’m here to tell you that misinformation is abundant on both sides of the political spectrum.
Politics is complex and can’t be put into twitter’s 280-character limit. This limitation encourages sensationalized headlines over substance and turns political debates in battles of catchy one-liners.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that Twitter or X’s political culture has no middle ground; you have to be extremely on one side or the other. Certainty is rewarded over nuanced perspectives.
The worse part about X is the algorithm’s design of showing users what they want to see, meaning we all get stuck in echo chambers that keep reinforcing our existing biases rather than challenging them. Political users on X are often trapped in echo chambers where they are only exposed to viewpoints they already agree with, creating a distorted sense of reality.
Additionally, X’s efforts to battle misinformation have been futile. Foreign governments, propaganda networks, and political operatives continue to use Twitter to spread disinformation campaigns and manipulate public opinion.
X thrives on controversy and outrage and its business model depends on keeping users engaged, so what better than political fights to fill that role?
Fixing X’s misinformation problem will require a fundamental overhaul of the platform that could prioritize fact-checking and meaningful discourse over chaos.
