Graphika Reports China-Linked Accounts Target Midterms

Research firm Graphika says the China-linked Spamouflage influence operation is active on X ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, using accounts posing as American voters to post divisive material and question election integrity and the legitimacy of U.S. democracy. The activity resembles tactics the firm documented before the 2024 presidential election. Graphika identified accounts with past Spamouflage ties that now amplify MAGA-styled personas, a replacement for a previously removed account that has criticized Democratic leaders and immigration policies, and an account presenting itself as a Philippine culture blog while mixing pro-China messaging with U.S.-focused commentary. The firm could not determine whether the replacement account or the culture blog had changed hands or been hijacked. A Clemson researcher said the operation is unlikely to shift political debate, though it may be more effective at suppressing information and harassing Chinese diaspora voices.