A White House Staffer Appears to Run Massive Pro-Trump X Account

Wired

by Makena Kelly

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A White House staffer named Garrett Wade, who works as a rapid response manager, appears to run Johnny MAGA, a popular pro-Trump X account with nearly 300,000 followers. This revelation blurs the line between official government messaging and organic online content, raising concerns about transparency and public trust. Johnny MAGA has amplified Trump administration narratives, including claims about events like the Minneapolis protests and Trump's controversial racist video of Barack and Michelle Obama depicted as apes. The account, created in September 2021, masquerades as an independent voice but is linked to Wade through phone numbers and other records reviewed by WIRED. While operating under an anonymous persona, Johnny MAGA consistently supports Trump’s policies and allies, such as immigration enforcement and Turning Point USA. The lack of disclosure about Wade's official connection to the White House creates confusion, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between genuine grassroots support and government-driven influence. This practice raises ethical concerns, particularly in the tech and media space, where transparency is crucial. Samuel Woolley, a disinformation expert, warns that such tactics risk undermining public trust by blurring the lines between authentic expression and orchestrated propaganda. The Johnny MAGA account exemplifies how government officials can use anonymous online personas to shape public opinion, potentially leading to widespread misinformation. The situation highlights the broader issue of astroturfing—when governments or organizations create fake grassroots movements to influence public perception. For tech-savvy readers, this case underscores the importance of identifying and challenging such tactics to maintain a healthy, transparent digital ecosystem. The lack of transparency in Johnny MAGA’s operations not only erodes trust but also sets a dangerous precedent for how government messaging can evolve online. Ultimately, the revelation about Garrett Wade’s dual role as a White House staffer and anonymous influencer underscores the need for greater accountability in digital media. As tech platforms continue to grapple with disinformation, cases like Johnny MAGA remind us that even subtle blurring of lines between official and personal messaging can have significant consequences for public discourse.

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Originally published on Wired on 2/25/2026