Last night, Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. In this year’s election, social media has been crucial. Both Team Trump and Team Harris invested a lot of time (and money) trying to capture the hearts and minds of netizens.
As studies show that Gen Z gets their news from social media, influencers have become a crucial cog in that machine: whether they wanted to or not. Given their vast public profiles and, well, influence, some argue that creators have a responsibility to speak out on huge political events like this.
A lot of notable creators — including MrBeast, Charli D’Amelio, Emma Chamberlain, Markiplier, Rhett & Link, and Addison Rae, to name a few — have chosen to stay silent as election results poured in. But there are plenty of others who had a lot to say.
Many right-wing creators, like FaZe Banks and Adin Ross, who broke Kick records with his Trump livestream, celebrated the results of the election online. Ross directly addressed the President-elect in an X post: “Ladies and Gentlemen our 47th President, Donald Trump. It was an honor doing my livestream with you, Adin Ross X Trump pt 2 livestream in the White House. Soon.”
Ross also shared that he put a $1 million bet on Trump winning the election. But while this might have been fruitful for him, other creators didn’t get so lucky in their attempts to make a spectacle out of the election results.
Streamer xQc, for instance, very publicly wagered $700,000 on Kamala Harris winning. Like many creators, he live streamed his reaction as the election unfolded. But despite visibly “dying inside” as it became clear Harris lost, he told his viewers: “Chat, sometimes losing is admitting defeat. And I’m f***ing admitting defeat.”
But across the social media landscape and entertainment industry, others have reacted with confusion, anger, frustration, fear, sadness, and disappointment.
“Don’t Look Up” director Adam McKay shared his fury on X, as he asked: “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’s cognitive health for 2 yrs, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a yr long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn’t be a winning strategy? Anyone with half a brain?”
Franklin Leonard, the founder of the writing community The Black List, summed up the collective confusion. He wrote: “I don’t have certainty about what just happened, and I’m reasonably certain no one else does either.”
Horror author Stephen King poignantly wrote: “There’s a sign you can see in many shops that sell beautiful but fragile items: LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT’S SOLD. You can say the same about democracy.”
Meanwhile, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf urged followers to fight, writing in an Instagram post: “NOW is the time to get politically engaged and stay politically engaged. Not when it’s time to vote again in four years… NOW. Your voice, your rights, your life matters. The West isn’t ‘descending into fascism’, it is here and it’s going to require ALL of us showing up for ALL of us. No matter how bleak this may feel… Do not disengage.”
Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” expressed a similar sentiment. He said that Harris supporters “have to continue to fight and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world, for this country that we know is possible.”
Referring to Trump’s numerous sexual misconduct accusations and status as a convicted felon, “Riverdale” actor Lili Reinhart tweeted: “I cannot fathom the feeling of the women who came forward about their sexual assault at the hands of Trump. Seeing millions of people vote for their abuser. My heart absolutely breaks for these women. I believe you, and I am so sorry.”
Furthermore, internet personality Hank Green urged users to be kind to themselves today — and to avoid X if they can.
“If you’re on Twitter right now, you are not the kind of person who is going to miss out on big picture analysis long-term,” he said. “I think the thing to do today is focus on stuff that’s close, stuff you believe in, stuff you’ve gotta do, and stuff that brings you joy.”
Leftist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker spoke to his audience members mourning the results of the election. He said, “Obviously, our institutions are failing us. I mean, that much is very clear. Our institutions are failing us. The Democratic Party has failed us once again,” he said.
“So there is not really much else I can say, other than you just got to f***ing hold steadfast to your opinion and and not shy away from your moral compass and organize. Organize all the time. Organize everywhere, and you know, we’ll all make it through. I hope. I think.”
