Social media is becoming more and more popular every day, with lots of people using it to promote their small businesses or just make content. The first thing on everyone’s phones is social media apps like Tiktok, Spotify, Twitch or Instagram.
Celebrities and influencers use these platforms to persuade and influence people into what they support, but is it professional to use social media and influencers to support a presidential campaign?
When it comes to running a campaign usually it’s thought of as rallies, news articles and possibly an AD on the tv trying to ask their viewers to support them. But is using expensive streams with Twitch creators, and using music artists who typically aren’t involved in politics crossing the line of unprofessionalism?
David Pitre, a Kempville second-year teacher who teaches VA/US history, and spent 20 years in the military states, “I believe if a celebrity uses their platform to speak their minds about politics that is fine. Again, that’s what free speech is, that’s why we have the 1st Amendment. However, I do not support those who are paid to use their platforms to promote certain political parties or candidates.”
Pitre is well informed and believes that “politics affects all our lives, whether people are aware of that or not, elections have consequences” He also points out that “I only have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, and all four have constant political ads.”
In a recent article by the Associated Press, states “Both former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are competing for voters who increasingly get most of their news from non-traditional sources.” Both are trying to appeal to online viewers, because it’s now better understood information is gathered by numerous media outlets, including social media.
A digital communications strategist Tammy Gordon in the article points out how “the scary thing is that you can so finely slice and dice the electorate that you’re feeding different messages in different places.”
When it comes to how both running candidates have used the media, Kamala’s biggest strategy is connecting herself to Charlie XCX “Brat Summer.” Brat Summer is described by Charlie as “ A girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes, who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile,” according to Politico.
But how does this relate to a presidential debate and campaign? Kamala may have gained inspiration for ‘brat summer’ from Trump’s streams and meet-ups with online celebrities like Adian Ross, Logan Paul and Elon Musk. AP News states that “Trump’s campaign aides talk to conservative influencers about potential topics and guests, while the Harris campaign credentialed around 200 content creators to the recent democratic National Convention”
Both running mates have been fighting neck and neck to get online votes by using social media, like how TikTok contains ‘Harris HQ’ which posts jokes, memes, and makes more childish jokes to the media.
In reality, social media has been used for years, but never like this before. There’s more unprofessional behavior on both sides of the campaign, though it’s really up to how the viewers will take it. Whether they see it as a pro or con for the candidate, social media will continue to be a big part of all elections in the future, it’s up to the viewers if they think what candidates do on the media is appropriate for a political campaign.
