This AfD Influencer Does Not Exist
From fake influencers to OnlyFans links, far-right accounts are combining AI-generated content and sexualised imagery to spread pro-AfD messaging on Instagram.
Thursday, April 16
The format is repeated time after time. A young woman poses in a sexualised manner for the camera in a short Instagram video, with the German flag behind her — and then, either in text directly on the video or in the comments, there is a short message spreading far-right ideas.
One influencer, who calls herself Cassie, attaches text like: "If Germany had a right-wing problem, we'd need to protect the mosques, not the Christmas markets" or "I've got no interest in left-voting guys… I've already got one p*ssy and don't want another." In the caption, she links to her OnlyFans page — and the captions of her videos are often adorned with the blue heart emoji, widely used online to express sympathy for the AfD.
Sometimes, the apparent influencers shown in these videos do not even exist.
Many of these videos appear to be AI-manipulated. A report by Belltower News argues that this is part of a new tactic being used by the far-right, both in Germany and the United States: using sexualised content and political provocation to achieve maximum reach online. Sometimes, the influencers shown in these videos don't even exist.
This is the case with the profile of Bella Albrecht. The account appears to show a young blonde woman relaxing at the pool, taking a selfie at the gym, or — very often — dressed in AfD-branded clothing and canvassing for the party. Like Cassie, her videos are emblazoned with short right-wing messages. Occasionally, the two accounts use identical phrasing, such as "I want my children to say 'Grüß Gott' and not 'Wallah'" across multiple profiles. Other examples include: "According to newly published research, AfD voters are attractive, have a school diploma and work hard" or "I love my daily portion of meat — and vegans hate me for it."
Unlike Cassie, however, Bella Albrecht does not exist. She is an entirely AI-generated creation.
The pattern behind this strategy strongly suggests a deliberate, coordinated approach. It is not entirely clear who is behind it — but it would not be the first time the AfD has been seen using AI-generated content in political messaging.
