Panic World Is the future of politics "influencers"?
29 snips
Nov 12, 2025 
Kat Abughazaleh, a researcher, journalist, and congressional candidate from Illinois, dives into the fusion of influencers and politics. She shares her unique journey of transforming online popularity into political capital, detailing the impact of her media experience on understanding threats and narratives. Kat also discusses the evolution of campaign strategies in the digital age and the challenges women face as influencers in politics. Her insights on grassroots fundraising and the ethics of digital campaigning offer a fresh perspective on the future of political engagement.
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Online Harassment Trains Campaign Resilience
- Long experience moderating and confronting right-wing media teaches skills directly transferable to campaigning.
- Kat says internet harassment prepared her to run and handle abuse politicians now face.
Campaign Rules Favor The Wealthy
- Running for office is structurally inaccessible to people who aren't wealthy due to hidden costs and candidate salary rules.
- Kat explains candidate salary calculations can hurt low-income candidates and deepen inequality.
Turning Hate Attacks Into Fundraising
- Kat recounts being attacked by Laura Loomer who labeled her a "communist jihadist wannabe whore" and other slurs.
- She turns those attacks into fundraising and an "anti-endorsement" advantage.
