Battle of Memes
Aiming for the Top: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's Battle for the White House - As we gear up for the 2024 US Presidential Election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the internet is inundated with more than just funny content.
The US Presidential Election is buzzing withboth political and pop cultural moments. With the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump heating up, you might have encountered Donald Trump's comment, "They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats." or heard about "The Coconut-Tree Operation". Amidst countless talks shows, interviews, and campaign events, there are numerous images and video clips circulating the internet: Meme phenomenon.
Whether witty or absurd, the plethora of memes related to the US Presidential Election is massive. These online sensations not only serve as pop cultural phenomena but also as a thoughtfully crafted tool in the political sphere.
My Personal US Election Meme Ranking:
- "Kamala IS snarky"
- Trump's "They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats."
- Trump as a McDonald's Employee
- All about Dean Withers' "Can 1 woke Teen Survive 20 Trump Supporters?"
Politics and Social Media
While politicians and parties have long been active on social media, the integration of politics and pop culture in the US is much more profound than in Germany. Established parties and politicians are active on social networks, and even Olaf Scholz has a presence on TikTok, posting videos like "What's in my bag" or sharing his daily life in a vlog.
At first glance, this may seem merely entertaining. However, the focus is less on the humor and more on offering insights and connecting with target audiences - essential aspects of political communication. During the 2024 election, memes serve as a battle for the public's attention and sympathy. This happens most effectively through leveraging pop cultural references, digital trends, and memes themselves.
Both Trump and Harris's campaign teams have recognized this potential. They capitalize on trends to spread their messages, enhance their own image, or undermine their opponents. The quality of the content often takes a back seat, with the key focus being to ensure the message resonates with as many people as possible.
The Power of Memes
Memes have multiple functions: They can address problems or highlight contradictions, educate, create a sense of belonging, and influence digital masses. Whether it's an image, video, or audio clip that goes viral in social and political discussions, examples such as the Instagram account "hauptstadt-memes" illustrate their power.
A recent study shows that discussions on social media play a crucial role in determining the topics discussed during the US Presidential Election. According to marketing researcher Raoul Kübler, who co-authored the study, "The goal was to bring topics into online debates, and whoever managed to do so would, in turn, ensure that these topics became prominent in the media sphere." The media, in that case, would amplify the importance of these topics. Particularly influential in this context are disinformation campaigns and provocations such as memes, which stir up online discussions and shape traditional media coverage.
Furthermore, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become increasingly important as sources of news. Not only is their consumption on the rise, but so is trust in social media platforms as sources of news. In 2021, worldwide trust in these platforms for news was at 35%, and by 2024, it had risen to 41%[5].
Memes serve as a crucial medium in the communication process, as they can become self-perpetuating and mobilize vast numbers of people - for both positive and negative purposes. Whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump take the lead in the 2024 election will be known soon.
Countdown to the US Election 2024
Kamala Harris or Donald Trump: Who will follow Joe Biden in the USA? On November 5th, the United States will choose their new President - or Presidente. If Kamala Harris wins, she could make history by becoming the first female President. How will the election unfold? Who are the Vice Presidential candidates? And what do Hamburgers think about the election? Our Website will keep you updated with the latest information for a whole week surrounding the election.
Annika Eifert
Since Annika Eifert's (born 1999) laptop has been subjected to various liquids - coffee, fruit tea, nail polish remover - it's well insured. Born in Hesse, she studied Communication Science and Management in Erfurt and has been leading the Non-Profit Online Magazine "UNGLEICH," which highlights life quality in the East. A practicum in the Social Media Team of "OMR 5050" brought her to Hamburg. She calls herself a "TikTok Victim" and is up-to-date on every trend. Screen time? That's her secret. Her laptop remains a constant danger - and therefore, well secured. Nickname: ika
- Annika Eiferthttps://unsere Website/author/annika-eifert/A Conversation with Schrott bewahre e.V.: Thinking Green with Old Stuff
- Annika Eiferthttps://unsere Website/author/annika-eifert/Animal Cruelty Slowed Down: A Visit to the "Eselei"
- Annika Eiferthttps://unsere Website/author/annika-eifert/Hamburger Hochbahn: Record with 495 Million Passengers
- Annika Eiferthttps://unsere Website/author/annika-eifert/Hamburger Kunsthalle: Slow Year with Over 600.000 Visitors
- Meme culture has deeply integrated politics and pop culture in the US, particularly during the 2024 US Presidential Election, with both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's campaign teams actively embracing memes to capture public attention and influence.
- Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are important sources of news and have become crucial in determining the topics discussed during the US Presidential Election, as revealed in a recent study, with memes playing a significant role in shaping traditional media coverage and conversations.
