Based on an analysis of 504 posts by Miqrab AI, the dominant narrative on X / Twitter in Iraq on January 20, 2025, was the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. President. Conversations revolved around the potential impact of his presidency on Iraq and the wider region, particularly concerning his policies toward Iran and affiliated Iraqi militias. This generated a wide spectrum of reactions, from accounts taunting pro-Iran factions to celebratory congratulations from Kurdish leaders. Other significant topics included sectarian narratives surrounding the conflict in Gaza, highlighting Shia support for the Palestinian cause, alongside pressing domestic issues such as warnings of a looming economic crisis and the announcement of a major new oil discovery.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. Trump’s Softer Tone on Iran Sparks Speculation

The most viral topic of the day was a statement by Donald Trump regarding Iran, which was widely interpreted as a shift in tone. The account Najih Muhammad Ali (Post Impact: 100%) shared a quote from Trump describing Iran as “virgin land (for investment)” and stating his readiness to negotiate and even travel to Tehran. This was framed as Trump “flirting” with Iran. Similarly, Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 11%) shared an Iranian newspaper headline reading, “Trump and Pezeshkian face a decisive moment to achieve peace,” commenting that the language of threats has been replaced by flirtation. In contrast, other accounts like David Yassin (Post Impact: 39%) predicted a more aggressive approach, claiming Trump’s priority would be to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities and destroy its proxies in the region.

2. Highlighting Shia Support for the Palestinian Cause

A prominent narrative focused on the role of Shia groups in supporting Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. The account Ahmed Akhu Maz’al (Post Impact: 66%) shared a video with the caption “#Gaza_is_victorious, the people of Gaza thank the Shia.” This sentiment was echoed by Abu Mazi’al (Post Impact: 60%), who claimed that Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida’s praise for allies in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq was effectively a direct salute to Shia forces, suggesting he should have simply said, “We salute (the Shia).” These posts collectively promoted the view that Shia factions were the primary defenders of the Palestinian cause within the “Axis of Resistance.”

3. Accounts Taunt Iraqi Militias After Trump’s Return

Following Donald Trump’s inauguration, numerous accounts began to mock and challenge the leaders of pro-Iran armed factions in Iraq, suggesting they have fallen silent out of fear. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 69%) posted a picture of Trump and sarcastically called on militia leaders like Abu Alaa al-Walai, al-Hamidawi, and al-Kaabi to release their usual statements and threats, asking “where are you?” and declaring “the hunter has returned.” This challenge was also issued by Hiba Al-Naiib (Post Impact: 16%), who dared the “resistance” leaders to release a video or statement against Trump. Similarly, Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 11%) addressed a message to Qais Khazali, Hadi al-Amiri, Akram al-Kaabi and other militia figures, simply stating “Trump is here for you.”

4. Poll on Potential US Strikes Against Militias

Amid heightened tensions surrounding Trump’s presidency, a poll gained significant traction asking Iraqis for their opinion on potential U.S. military action against armed factions in the country. Dr. Laith Shubbar (Post Impact: 56%) directly asked his followers: “With a yes or no, do you support Trump if he decides to strike the armed factions in Iraq?” This question reflects a broader social and political debate about the presence and influence of these groups. The anticipation of such a scenario was also noted by other accounts, such as Sheikh Thair Al-Bayati (Post Impact: 23%), who predicted an imminent end for “Shia militias in Iraq… without exception.”

5. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali on the Power of Social Media

Prominent political figure Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 51%) commented on the changing media landscape. He argued that in the past, dictators used state-controlled media to turn defeats into victories, but today such “directed media” is a mockery. He stated that real media is now driven by the people on platforms like X and Facebook. He concluded with a defiant message to those trying to spin their losses, asserting, “No matter how much effort the defeated exert to beautify their defeats, they will fail! Because we are here!”

6. Kurdish Leaders Congratulate President Trump

Leaders from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were among the first in the country to publicly congratulate Donald Trump on his inauguration. Masrour Barzani (Post Impact: 30%), Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, extended his congratulations and affirmed that “The Kurdistan-US strategic partnership and the bond among our people and armed forces remains strong.” Similarly, the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani (Post Impact: 27%), stated, “We greatly value our strong partnership with the U.S. and look forward to working closely to advance peace, stability, and shared values.”

7. Major Oil Field Discovered Near Baghdad

Positive economic news was shared across several platforms regarding a major energy discovery. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 36%) reported that the Midland Oil Company announced the discovery of the largest oil reserve in central Iraq, estimated at two billion barrels. The account Haidar (Post Impact: 14%) added details, noting the discovery was made east of Baghdad in cooperation with the Chinese company EBS and that initial tests showed a production rate of 5,000 barrels per day.

8. Warnings of an Impending Economic Crisis in Iraq

Several accounts raised alarms about a potential economic crisis in Iraq, connecting it to the political shift in the United States. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 33%) pointed to several “signs of an Iraqi economic crisis,” including a cash liquidity shortage, the failure of banks to return citizen deposits, and “catastrophic” smuggling of dollars to Iran, all while “Trump approaches the White House.” This concern over currency smuggling was also highlighted by Omar Abd Al Sattar Mahmoud (Post Impact: 10%), who stated that dollar smuggling to Iraq and Iran continues ahead of expected sanctions.

9. Reporting from Trump’s Inauguration and Speech

Users followed the inauguration events closely, sharing live updates and key quotes from President Trump’s speech. Journalist Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 36%) posted from inside the U.S. Capitol building where the ceremony took place. The account Haidar (Post Impact: 21%) highlighted Trump’s declaration that he would not start any new wars and wanted his legacy to be that of a peace-maker. The same account also noted Trump’s statements on social issues, reporting that he would stop all “gender engineering” attempts and affirmed that “there are only two sexes and there is no third.”

10. Support for Palestine Framed as a Human Issue

Countering the prevalent sectarian narratives, some accounts framed the support for the Palestinian cause as a universal human issue rather than a religious or factional one. Muna Sami (Post Impact: 26%) shared a video of a female activist who she described as not belonging to any religious group but was detained by Israel for her land. The post concluded that faith in the Palestinian cause does not mean belonging to a specific group, but rather means “you are #human.” This broader support was also reflected in a post by Haidar (Post Impact: 8%), which cited the Palestinian Minister of Public Works confirming that the Iraqi government had donated approximately 10 million liters of fuel to the Gaza Strip.