Bryce Hall is the GOP’s secret weapon.
Since the invention of TikTok, influencers have ruled the roost. In their manicured hands they hold the ability to influence trends, publicly excommunicate their friends and foe, and most importantly – deem what is hot and what is not. They sway public opinion.
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Their ability to communicate directly with audiences in an authentic and relatable manner makes them powerful allies in political messaging. The GOP recently realised this. In an unexpected twist that has left political pundits scratching their heads and TikTok teens rolling their eyes, the GOP has reportedly decided to potentially enlist the services of none other than Tana Mongeau for a strategic endorsement. In her podcast Cancelled, Tana Mongeau alleged that she was offered “millions” to endorse Donald Trump’s Republican Party. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one. She told her co-star Brooke Schofield that she was shown a list of other influencers who had taken Trump’s alleged deal.
Although I thought perhaps we had longer until this political tactic was used, I am not surprised. Someone was going to realise influencers and stars alike had not just the power to decide whether skinny jeans were “in”, but also had the ability to sway their demographic towards a political side. With a fan base that spans across Gen Z and millennials, she’s got the kind of influence that can swing opinions faster than TikTok’s Apple dance. Younger voters take these influencer’s words as gospel – they’ll run for their mother’s credit card for the next thing they see on screen, so why wouldn’t the next logical step be checking a box in a booth?
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Despite political influencing seeming like a recent phenomenon, the influence of celebrity and fame has been ingrained in politics for millenia. The US arguably voted JFK into the White House at least in part because he was a pretty face and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Old Blighty saw Boris Johnson ziplining down Tower Bridge and thought “yeah, he’d do.” Simply put, being a recognisable face helps a lot – you already have that initial launchpad into stardom many politicians desperately crave but never come into contact with.
Donald Trump is certainly a known name, but he’s failed thus far to rally support with chunks of the younger “brain-rotted” demographic that spend too much of their day scrolling on TikTok (I am, of course, no better myself). Paying off influencers to support him is the smart move. By employing influencers who already connect with these demographics, the GOP is translating online engagement into tangible support at the polls. Critics might say that this move dilutes the party’s brand, but let’s face it – politics is a popularity contest, and nothing screams “vote for me” like a well-placed endorsement from someone who’s made a career out of drama and chaos. Traditionalists are likely clutching their pearls, lamenting the decline of decorum in political discourse. But let’s be real: the era of stuffy suits and stiff speeches is fading faster than the phrase, “very mindful, very demure”. If the GOP wants to engage the youth, they might just have to embrace the chaos – and who better to lead the charge than Tana?
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While the use of influencers in political campaigns is not new, the practice of paying them raises ethical questions. Critics argue that financial incentives can compromise the authenticity of an influencer’s message. When endorsements are driven by payment rather than genuine belief in a candidate, it risks creating a facade that could ultimately mislead voters. Moreover, transparency becomes crucial. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has guidelines about political advertising and sponsorship, but the fast-paced nature of social media often blurs the lines. Influencers are required to disclose their partnerships, but enforcement can be lax, leading to potential misinformation about the motivations behind endorsements. Essentially, can we trust Bryce Hall to put a “#ad” when he spews Republican rhetoric online? I wouldn’t bet on it.
The irony of a party that traditionally frowns upon anything resembling pop culture now actively courting it isn’t lost on anyone. Take Taylor Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris – she led just over 400,000 visitors to vote.gov in the following 24 hours. Fame pays. Yet, in a world where the lines between celebrity and politics continue to blur, perhaps Hall’s endorsement is less about aligning with his values and more about capturing attention—because in the end, that’s what politics is all about, right? After all, any PR is good PR.
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