With the rise of Generation Z voters, the electoral candidates are using trending media stars and TikTok trends as a form of promotion for their campaigns.
Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, uses a trend that is inspired by Charli XCX’s album titled “brat”, in order to encourage younger voters who have followed the trend to vote for her. Kamala HQ, Harris’s TikTok page, is making edits of her on the popular social media app; using songs from the album and using the iconic neon green on the album cover throughout her page.
“I believe it is a great trend, and as someone who will vote this year, I can see how her use of the trend could make me like her more,” senior Maria Newlin said. “But, maybe instead of following the trend, she should work more on causing a good change.”
Harris has also had native Houstonian Beyonce’ speak and San Antonian Megan Thee Stallion perform at campaign rallies in Houston and Atlanta, respectively.
“I feel like Kamala’s campaign with Megan Thee Stallion is actually wonderful, and I think that it might help her win the election,” sophomore Ozzy Joiner said. “I believe that this is truly the wave of social media.”
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, is making efforts to connect with GenZ audiences as well using the model Amber Rose in order to bring support to his presidential campaign. She spoke at the Republican National Convention, encouraging more voters from different backgrounds to vote for him.
“Essentially Amber Rose talking during the convention may have been a publicity stunt,” senior Braeden Lopez said. “Ploliticians should focus on how to help the citizens, but they bring people in who are already well off to bring attention to their campaigns.”
Many seniors are gaining their ability to vote, and the presidential candidates are promoting their campaigns to students and younger generations.
“I think that social media platforms play a pivotal role in the forming of political opinions of both younger and older teens, some of who are voting for the first time in the upcoming election,” senior Addison O’Hair said. “While these can be great resources, the information provided may be fabricated so it is important for teens to have media literacy. I am curious to see how social media will affect the election this year.”
