Over the last decade, the presence of politicians on social media has drastically increased. And although social media is a great way for them to spread their message, some have taken it to far.
Politicians using social media can be a good thing. It is a great way to reach and engage with a younger audience, and gives a younger audience the opportunity to educate themselves in a way that geared towards them. I personally follow a handful of active and former politicians so I can stay up to date with what is going on in the world and what they are up to. But some politicians post… less helpful information.
And by some, I mean two-time impeached, convicted felon, Donald Trump. This former Twitter user, “created” his own social media platform, ironically named ‘Truth Social’ so he could continue to share his thoughts on the going-ons of the world. Now, I fully believe in freedom of speech but maybe take the hint.
Now, what actually inspired me to write this article was a post I saw from former Secretary of Labour, Robert Reich. He posted both Trump and Biden’s Easter messages back to back. Trump’s was “HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, INCLUDING CROOKED AND CORRUPT PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES THAT ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INTERFERE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024, AND PUT ME IN PRISON, INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE THAT I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, A NOW FAILING NATION…” etc., etc., etc. To give him credit, it did end in “HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!” But I really do think one of his advisors should show him the caps lock button and let him know how to use it.
Joe Biden’s message on the other hand was “To all those gathering in churches and homes around the world today: Happy Easter. May God bless and keep you.”
Reich’s caption was, “The actual Easter messages of both presidential candidates. I don’t celebrate Easter, but I know the difference between a normal message of peace and goodwill from a person pf faith and a wild, vindictive, paranoid rant from what appears to be a mentally unhinged narcissist,” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is what they are each using their platforms for.
Now, it isn’t just presidential candidates that are active on social media, it is politicians all over the spectrum. Many, if not most Congress members have a social media account, run by someone who works for them, usually promoting upcoming issues and their thoughts. But again, some use it as more of a diary, which can be exhausting for social media users.
Most social media users go on these apps for fun, or to turn off their brain for a bit. Pew Research Center said in a recent survey that 55% of adult social media users are tired of seeing political content. And this holds true across political parties.
I think politicians
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Politicians in the media; informative or obsessive?
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Susannah Schwantes, Editor in Chief
Hi! My name is Susannah Schwantes, and I'm currently a senior at FNH. I'm the Editor-in-Chief of The Scroll this year, and I'm very excited! I'm actively involved in theatre, and am the current secretary on our thespian board. I have three cats, Olive, Korg, and Grayson. I like going to target and hanging out with friends. I love coffee. I joined journalism because I like to write and representation is important to me. I like standing up for what I believe in and am very passionate.