The Influence of TikTok on the 2024 US Presidential Election
In the fast-paced world of social media, TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform shaping the battleground of the 2024 US Presidential Election. Gone are the days of the “Facebook election” as campaigns and voters now flock to TikTok for a new wave of engagement. Let’s delve into how this app has become the epicenter of the Harris and Trump online battle for younger voters.
- TikTok: The New Political Arena
- Lara Cohen, head of creators at Linktree, labels this year’s election as the “TikTok election”.
- The campaigns understand the influence of Gen Z and are leveraging TikTok to generate enthusiasm online.
- The app’s algorithm breaks filter bubbles and exposes users to diverse political content outside their usual preferences.
- Harnessing TikTok Features for Engagement
- Campaigns are using memes, slang, and viral videos to reach new audiences on TikTok.
- Users engage with politics through features like “duetting” and live streaming debates.
- Creators are making “fancam” videos and filming themselves casting ballots to music to increase political involvement.
- Harris vs. Trump on TikTok
- Harris’s campaign hired young creators to create viral content reflecting trending music and editing styles.
- Trump’s TikTok presents a somber tone with videos on economic and immigration concerns, blended with light-hearted meetups with male creators.
- Harris’s approach on TikTok is deemed aspirational and native to the platform, while Trump’s feels less authentic and closer to traditional campaign material.
- Impact and Challenges
- Harris’s TikTok account has attracted significant views but faced a recent decline in momentum.
- A rise in viral conservative content on TikTok has shifted engagement dynamics, posing challenges to Harris’s online presence.
- The success of Harris’s digital campaign has been a thorn in Trump’s side, despite his claims of having the best social media program.
As the final stretch of campaigning unfolds, the influence of TikTok on the election outcome remains uncertain. While the platform has energized young voters and sparked excitement, its potential for misinformation raises concerns. The candidates’ TikTok followings may sway the ballot box, but the true impact will only be revealed as the election draws near. The online buzz on TikTok has undeniably transformed the political landscape, leaving us to ponder its enduring effects on the future of elections.
