The Biden campaign’s foray into TikTok has elicited mixed responses, with some supporters applauding the effort to connect with young adults in innovative ways, while others argue for a more substantive and authentic engagement.
Launched on Sunday, the TikTok account has shared a variety of content, including cable news clips criticizing former President Donald Trump, jokes about President Joe Biden’s age, a Super Bowl video featuring the Dark Brandon meme, and a clip of campaign staffers defending Biden against remarks on his mental acuity made by special counsel Robert Hur.
Some supporters of Biden’s reelection view the new account positively, seeing it as a step in the right direction. They believe it provides an opportunity to highlight the administration’s achievements for young people, citing a TikTok featuring a former school principal whose student loans were forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Biden (Credits: Bloomberg.com)
However, critics and even some allies caution that there is a delicate balance between genuine engagement and performative content.
Dakota Hall, executive director of the Alliance for Youth Action, warns that if the account merely shares memes without meaningful interaction, it could face pushback and criticism from TikTok users.
The discussion around the Biden campaign’s TikTok presence reflects the ongoing challenge of political figures navigating social media platforms, particularly in reaching younger demographics.
The authenticity of engagement and the ability to convey substantive messages are crucial factors in determining the success of such efforts.
