Lawfare Daily: What’s Influencing Politics Online? X’s Algorithm, Creators, and the New Persuasion Machine

This episode of the Lawfare Podcast explores the complex dynamics of political influence on social media, focusing on the interplay between algorithmic feeds and trusted content creators. Drawing on two groundbreaking studies—one examining the effects of X's (formerly Twitter) algorithmic feed on political opinions, and another analyzing how mass creators shape political views during the 2024 elections—the discussion reveals that both platform architecture and human relationships are critical drivers of persuasion. The research shows that switching to X's algorithmic feed shifts users' political opinions to the right, but turning it off does not reverse this effect—suggesting that the algorithm's influence persists through changes in who users follow. Meanwhile, the study on creators finds that apolitical, culturally focused influencers are more persuasive than overtly political ones, likely due to higher perceived trustworthiness and stronger parasocial connections. Together, the findings underscore that online influence is not a single force but a layered system of nudges, where repeated exposure and network effects compound over time. The conversation then turns to policy implications, with experts calling for systemic transparency, long-term societal health metrics in platform design, and regulatory frameworks that prioritize real-world impacts—especially on vulnerable populations—over engagement alone. The hosts emphasize that the power to shape public discourse lies not just in what content is shown, but in how platforms structure attention, trust, and relationships. They caution against over-relying on individual choice or algorithmic opt-outs, given the lasting, asymmetric effects of early exposure. Ultimately, the episode argues that the future of democratic discourse online depends on rethinking platform incentives, increasing research access, and separating powerful tech conglomerates from their broader economic and political influence.