Another MAGA influencer switches sides: now pro-Ukraine after the payday
A pro-MAGA influencer now declares himself a fervent supporter of Ukraine. Ideological conversion or a change of funding? We examine what lies behind the shift.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Another MAGA influencer switches sides: now pro-Ukraine after the payday
At the start of the year, the dominant narrative took Ukraine's defeat for granted and pushed for Kyiv to surrender. Back then, certain influencers aligned with the most militant Trumpism were chanting pro-Russian slogans. Now, one of them has done a 180-degree turn and declares himself «pro-Ukraine to the death». The question is how much of it is conviction and how much is a change in the flow of money.
Conversion or a new source of income?
This is not an isolated case. The suspicion that these figures are «pro-money to the death» hangs over the debate. The arrival of funds for Ukraine —the «ACOM payday», in the jargon— would be the real driver of the about-face. Where the narrative hostile to Ukraine used to be the one that paid, the money would now be flowing the other way. Those who called Zelensky an enemy yesterday applaud him today.
Tim Pool's role and the buying of accounts
American presenter Tim Pool, known for his ambiguous editorial line, has been singled out as part of a network of «puppets» sold to the highest bidder. In the digital ecosystem, many accounts are suspected of being nothing more than rented products: they are bought and switch sides depending on the funding available. The buying and selling of profiles on social networks and forums is a documented practice.
The geopolitical context
The war has changed. Russia's support for Iran and its involvement in attacks against American interests in the Middle East have reshaped alliances. Those who once saw Pilingui as an anti-NATO bulwark now discover that his interests clash with those of the Western sphere itself. Ukraine's supposed defeat is no longer a given. The forecasts that months ago were taken as certain have collapsed.
But if propaganda is bought and sold like a commodity, what use are ideological flags? The next one to switch sides may not do so out of conviction, but because the cheque has arrived.
At the start of the year, the dominant narrative took Ukraine's defeat for granted and pushed for Kyiv to surrender. Back then, certain influencers aligned with the most militant Trumpism were chanting pro-Russian slogans. Now, one of them has done a 180-degree turn and declares himself «pro-Ukraine to the death». The question is how much of it is conviction and how much is a change in the flow of money.
Conversion or a new source of income?
This is not an isolated case. The suspicion that these figures are «pro-money to the death» hangs over the debate. The arrival of funds for Ukraine —the «ACOM payday», in the jargon— would be the real driver of the about-face. Where the narrative hostile to Ukraine used to be the one that paid, the money would now be flowing the other way. Those who called Zelensky an enemy yesterday applaud him today.
Tim Pool's role and the buying of accounts
American presenter Tim Pool, known for his ambiguous editorial line, has been singled out as part of a network of «puppets» sold to the highest bidder. In the digital ecosystem, many accounts are suspected of being nothing more than rented products: they are bought and switch sides depending on the funding available. The buying and selling of profiles on social networks and forums is a documented practice.
The geopolitical context
The war has changed. Russia's support for Iran and its involvement in attacks against American interests in the Middle East have reshaped alliances. Those who once saw Pilingui as an anti-NATO bulwark now discover that his interests clash with those of the Western sphere itself. Ukraine's supposed defeat is no longer a given. The forecasts that months ago were taken as certain have collapsed.
But if propaganda is bought and sold like a commodity, what use are ideological flags? The next one to switch sides may not do so out of conviction, but because the cheque has arrived.
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (31 replies).
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