I finally got to test drive a take I’ve been developing for weeks that combines two of my favorite things: reality TV and politics.
When the Love Island USA cast was announced on May 28, I watched fans, in real time, spring into action to expose any secrets the newest islanders might be hiding. What followed was a steady drip of information, receipts, backlash, and ultimately multiple cast member removals from the show.
In one case, an islander was sent home before the show even aired, because a high-school-era video surfaced of her rapping the n-word along to a song. Yanked, expeditiously. It made me consider for the first time whether my generation — who has spent a higher percentage of our lives with social media than without it — can ever be 100% certain of how long our paper trail is … or what the hell is even in it? Ephemerality is a hoax, you know, when screenshots exist.
Graham Platner’s disruptive and destructive flameout further exposed the limitations of vetting in the digital era, including in the political arena. Only one name really ever came to mind to talk about this with, and that is Run For Something’s Amanda Litman.
At the end of our gabfest, I asked for some Run For Something candidates who are putting out social content I should look into. So I took a little gander, and here’s what I liked:
Kenny Van Nguyen: I knew this name sounded familiar. I went and dug into my business card collection from the 2024 election and I have his card from his city councilman days. So cool to see how far he’s gone (with much more to come, I’m sure). Loved that he celebrated his primary win by opening a fresh Pokemon Card pack on video.
Maria Hinojos Pressey + Sara Duncan: They’re running as a slate in Oregon, which I’m betting will rise in popularity as more young people — who understand the value of linking and building — run. Both candidates made videos pushing back on a proposed data center in their community and both videos put up 2-5x times their average engagement or views!
Hannah Sabio-Howell: You can tell when someone is a student of the game (of progressive politics). All of the visual cues are there, plus her own spin. The “On Your Left” branding / catchphrase is pretty … genius. I have to be honest, I rarely complete a whole candidate video, but I watched this “pantry pasta” chop and talk all the way through.
ALL THE CONTENT YOU DIDN’T SEE THIS WEEK
You’ll continue to see me refine this section over time. The function and purpose will stay the same — a funny, readable overview of political content winners and losers — but the form and depth will evolve to make it even juicier.
For now, we’ll do that by adding a section on a social media trend dominating the algo this week, extra points if it’s not political in origin. And by making room for just a little extra gossip to close us out. There will never be a better time to become a paid subscriber. Trust me 🤐
TREND ALERT:
“Preparing for my Netflix documentary” has transcended the cultural and entered the political (which, of course, means it’s dead).
