The United States is living in an unprecedented time. The Trump presidency has brought tumultuous change and outrage as people lose their jobs, executive power grows and some leaders are facing allegations of lacking accountability. Democrats all over are frustrated, asking: why aren’t we doing more?
Part of this question stems from the aggravating lack of unity in the Democratic party. It seems as if there’s a disconnect between young people, older generations and Democrats in power. Democratic congress members and senators have tried voicing their anger, with actions like wearing pink suits and holding up signs at President Trump’s State of the Union to protest his overreach of executive power. However, these feeble attempts at pushback pale in comparison to the momentum and strength the Republicans currently possess.
That’s not to say Democrats aren’t trying. It’s clear they’re doing what they can with very few levers of power, with people like Cory Booker, who recently took to the stage for a record-breaking filibuster, protesting Trump and the Republicans. However, the harsh reality is there’s no clear answer as to how to most effectively grab young people’s attention. One thing is certain, though: the answer is not dressing in suits and holding up dinky “This Is Not Normal” signs as a form of protest.
Democrats are still playing their old game, while Republicans are thriving in their all-out, there-is-no-status-quo mentality. They’ve mastered the art of social media, with figures like Charlie Kirk amassing millions of views in loud, bold videos that make outlandish ideas seem reasonable.
Kirk is notorious for going to college campuses and debating liberal students. He’s quick-witted with his responses and speaks with absolute certainty, rarely getting questioned despite often misrepresenting facts and the overall picture.
It’s this level of confidence and flair that Democrats lack. They’re still stuck posting the same boring white screen with blue text that calmly states Trump is going to cut your social security. Many young people see posts like these and scroll right past, no matter how important the information might be.
This isn’t to say Democrats should lower their moral values to those of some Republicans, but it’s clear they need to change tactics.
Jack Schlossberg is a great illustration of this strategy shift. The influencer, famous for being the grandson of John F. Kennedy, gained a large following over the past few years with his unique posting style. He uses humor and pointed remarks to grab the attention of scrollers while diving into major issues of both the Republican and Democratic party.
It’s ultimately this type of media savviness that will help the Democrats appeal to younger generations. They need to stop leaving the college campus debates to Charlie Kirk and other Republicans, and instead get out there with the intent to listen and engage in discussions with younger voters.
