The Harris campaign is making waves with its use of viral memes, but are these Gen Z social media references resonating with older voters? Vice President Harris’ campaign recently embraced popular memes like the “coconut tree” and “brat,” which captured the attention of younger voters. However, older voters are left scratching their heads, unsure of the meaning behind these internet sensations.
Political advisor Sergio José Gutiérrez explained that memes are a powerful tool for conveying messages in a humorous and relatable way. Eric Dahan, Founder of Mighty Joy, described memes as a format that easily creates headlines and packs information with spin.
After pop star Charli XCX tweeted about Harris being a “brat,” the campaign capitalized on the trend by incorporating the term into their branding. However, Dahan warned that some Gen Z Americans find the meme campaign “super cringe,” potentially making Harris appear less serious to voters.
While memes can help candidates gain notoriety, Gutiérrez noted that Trump remains the most “memeable” figure in American politics. Despite the viral success of Harris’ memes, Dahan emphasized the importance of addressing the pressing issues facing the country rather than focusing on lighthearted social media trends.
As the Harris campaign continues to leverage memes for political messaging, the question remains: will these internet references help or hinder the vice president’s image in the eyes of voters? Only time will tell.
