Social Media and Politics overload
President elect Donald Trump is not just a billionaire, he is an entrepreneur that has created many businesses and he branded many companies. His name and his ‘touch’ are synonymous with wealth and his presumed creation of wealth. President elect Donald Trump is the owner of many properties, companies, businesses, establishments, and brands. While his net worth is not truly known, his name, his face, and his family are among the most well-known in the world. As a presidential candidate, he ruled the podium with his rhetoric and blunt honesty. He was unapologetic or humble in his presence and speeches. What we saw, was and is the bare soul of a man. He is able to create a persona that transcends all divides where his message is golden. But Trump is a seasoned performer as he has been on television, hosting his own show, The Apprentice and its spin off The Celebrity Apprentice for a number of years. As a major television host, he has mastered the art of making a social connection. He is also very active on all social networks and can be found tweeting out his views. He has millions of devoted followers who hang on his every word. These followers vary in age with many being Twitter based while the others are online and television fans.
Donald Trump has been dubbed the social media president for his use of social media. Now while using social media is not a new concept especially with elections, the concept has been mastered by now president Donald Trump. In 2008, then president elect Barack Obama won his campaign by reaching out to millennials. He spoke to the hearts and minds of the generation that was just out of college, socially inapt and focused on what their next few years would mean. After winning the elections, now president Obama took control of the media and the social media scene with funny and often inspirational videos and posts. In contrast, while now presidential elect Donald Trump prefers Twitter, president Obama utilizes all social platforms. In fact, after being elected, president Obama and his wife both have been socially active helping to bridge the gap between the ages. The Washington Post, wrote on president Obama’s rise to prominence from a charismatic politician who could deliver those motivational speeches and universal themes to the masses. He was able to leverage the digital media to the maximum political advantage, the White House engaged social media strategists, marketing moguls, celebrities and powerful agents to discuss how digital media and celebrities could promote the Obama key polices. While some criticized the serious engagement of the White House in social media namely indulging in the use of hashtag activism for serious policymaking, others understood the value of using technology for political communication. The message was getting out and reaching a larger audience.
Fast forward to today and we have president elect Trump, a seasoned veteran in the media taking full advantage of the social outreach. In fact, whether good or bad his message was being heard due to mass sharing. His brass honesty was considered fresh in comparison to ‘lying politicians’ and as we know in the movies, everyone tunes in to see the bad guy who brings the drama. Trump knew his audience and worked it to his advantage.
Today, Trump is still what’s hot in the news. We eagerly tune into our chosen news sites to see what he has been up too. CNN has continued its coverage after the election to include the ongoing protests and social banter. It is clear that the public had, and still have feelings strong feelings about the election and the elected soon to be president. This will not change in the near future. But regardless of public opinion, president elect Trump is breaking the mold and changing the rules as he goes. Most recently, it was reported on CNN that he seems to enjoy evading and eluding the press which is outside of the norm. He is constantly marching to his own beat and his team is very savvy in their defense of his individualism.
Traditionalism has no place in the new White House. We have to forget what we know and what we are accustom too. Trump even unveiled his plan for his first 100 days in office online rather than the traditional press conference. It is almost hilarious to watch the media scamper to cover him. CNN even had a news cast to cover the unconventional behavior of presidential elect Trump in comparison to all other presidents. It was reported that the media would need to discover new ways to cover the soon to be president by thinking outside the box. I’m very interested in what that means, but I’m equally interested in the coming years under the presidential rule of ‘The Donald’.
There is very little news being covered even now after the elections. Much focus is now on the transitional period which has everyone equally engaged as we are trying to understand what a ‘Great America’ would be. We are all glued to the transition as we were for the presidential elections. Many, like myself, are so engrossed, we are oblivious about general news headlines and the weather forecast. I often felt like I was playing catch up on other news. I even missed the super moon.
I have been hearing all the comments on just how beautiful the moon was in that moment. I missed the brilliant colors of the fully rounded moon piercing down on gazing eyes. Even the non-scientific, appreciated the moment. This does not happen every day, given seeing the Super Moon is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many, the next time a Full Moon is even closer to Earth will be on November 25, 2034. With all the political commentary on social media, many like me had little time for the sciences. There were no buzz feeds, pictures or the like on social media about this scientific phenomenon. My social feed was ablaze about the electoral protests, the election aftermath and the news coverage of all listed. Because of all the media distractions, I missed a great bonding and teaching opportunity for my boys.
I plan to stay off the social media feed for a while. I have had enough of the presidential process. I am also not pleased with all the farewell posting for now president Obama and family. I really want move on from this. It’s like my life is on hold until further notice. I’m hopeful each day when I log on that my feed is not overtaken by political news and views. But all I can continue to do is hope as one day my feed will be free of political feeds.
Eilperin, Juliet. “Trump: The Social Media President?” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
“Supermoon: Closest Full or New Moon to Earth.” Supermoon / Super Moon – Why and When? N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/super-full-moon.html
Sanders, Sam. “Did Social Media Ruin Election 2016?” NPR. NPR, 8 Nov. 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
http://www.npr.org/2016/11/08/500686320/did-social-media-ruin-election-2016
Lepore, Jill. “The Party Crashers.” The New Yorker. N.p., 14 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/22/did-social-media-produce-the-new-populism
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