The Impact of Social Media on Political Campaigns

The significant influence of social media on political campaigns is highlighted, showcasing how both the Obama and Trump victories were largely shaped by their masterful use of these platforms. The Obama campaign's effective execution on Facebook in 2008 set a precedent that was seen again with Trump's Twitter strategy in 2016, revealing that social media holds immense potential in capturing voter attention. Notably, the discussion emphasizes how the understanding of social media's power by both candidates and Fortune 500 companies has evolved, with campaigns increasingly recognizing influencers as key players in communicating their messages. Despite this, it is observed that both campaigns are underutilizing platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, which historically have played a crucial role in mobilizing voters, especially among younger demographics who represent a critical voting bloc despite their perceived lack of engagement in past elections.