Guardian analysis: 55% of X accounts posting on UK riots were overseas
Study of June unrest in Belfast and Southampton finds US right-wing actors dominating discourse, with Elon Musk among top posters.
Conversation activity · last 24 hours peak 6/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 8 items across 4 sources · 6h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
The Guardian analyzed 43,000 tweets about the June 2026 riots in Belfast and Southampton and found that 55% of the 8,672 most-viewed accounts were based outside the UK, with 16.8% from the US. Seven of the twelve most-read tweets came from the US, including posts by Elon Musk and alt-right commentators. Nearly a third of all posts contained racist or anti-immigration language, and the analysis suggests US right-wing actors are exploiting UK disorder to influence discourse and boost their platform presence.
- Guardian analysis of 43,000 tweets found 55% of high-engagement accounts discussing June 2026 Belfast and Southampton riots were based outside the UK; 16.8% from US.
- Seven of twelve most-read tweets originated from the US, including posts by Elon Musk and alt-right commentators, suggesting coordinated right-wing influence on UK disorder.
- Nearly one-third of all posts contained racist or anti-immigration language; almost one-tenth of Belfast posts included calls for violence.
- CCHR chief characterizes X as exploited by foreign actors to amplify crises and intensify divisive narratives in communities with no real connection to the actors.
How it unfolded
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Report Guardian publishes analysis findings
Analysis reveals 55% of high-engagement accounts were based outside UK, with seven of twelve most-read tweets originating from US, including posts by Musk and alt-right commentators.
“Nearly a third of all 43,000 posts on X relating to the two incidents contained racist or anti-immigration comments.”
The Guardian · Press ↗ -
Reaction CCHR chief comments on findings
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, characterizes X as a weapon used by foreign actors to manipulate content and intensify divisive narratives.
“X had become "a weapon of choice" for hostile foreign actors seeking to manipulate shocking and divisive content.”
Imran Ahmed · Press ↗ -
Reaction Social media discourse on security implications
Mastodon users share the analysis, with discussion of whether foreign agitation via social platforms represents a national security threat.
“Foreign agitators are weaponising UK unrest for clout. Is it time to treat social platforms as a national security threat?”
Fife4Europe · Mastodon ↗ - 6 weeks quiet
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Report Guardian analysis conducted
The Guardian collected and analyzed 43,000 tweets mentioning Belfast, Southampton, Henry Nowak, or Vickrum Digwa posted during the unrest periods.
- 3 weeks quiet
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Event Belfast rioting begins
Rioting began in Belfast during the evening of June 8, continuing through June 9.
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Event Southampton unrest over Nowak case
Civil disorder occurred in Southampton following the life sentencing of Henry Nowak's killer. Elon Musk posted about the case, comparing media coverage to George Floyd coverage.
What people are saying verbatim
“Legacy mainstream media, same ones who wrote about George Floyd millions of times, are dead silent about Nowak”
Elon Musk, X owner · X (posted June 2, 2026) ↗ · Jun 1
“X had become "a weapon of choice" for hostile foreign actors seeking to manipulate shocking and divisive content.”
Imran Ahmed, CEO, Centre for Countering Digital Hate · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 8
“to amplify local tragedies and crises, intensify racist narratives, and incite violence in communities they have never set foot in and to whom they have no real connection.”
Imran Ahmed, CEO, Centre for Countering Digital Hate · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 8
“Nearly a third of all 43,000 posts on X relating to the two incidents contained racist or anti-immigration comments. Almost one in 10 relating to Belfast contained calls for violence or paramilitary or vigilante action.”
The Guardian, News organization · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 8
“US rightwing actors are seeking to influence the UK and boost their position on X in moments of disorder”
The Guardian, News organization · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 8
“Foreign agitators are weaponising UK unrest for clout. Is it time to treat social platforms as a national security threat?”
Fife4Europe, Mastodon user · Mastodon ↗ · Aug 8
Voices from the web unedited
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Exclusive: Analysis shows 55% of accounts were overseas – and seven of 12 most-read posts came from US
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Analysis shows 55% of X accounts posting on Belfast and Southampton riots were overseas, with 7 of 12 top posts from the US. Foreign agitators are weaponising UK unrest for clout. Is it time to treat social platforms as a national security threat? # Disinformation 🇬🇧 https://www. theguardian.com/world/2026/aug…