Stand-up comedians, such as Tim Dillon, aided Trump in appealing to younger males. Democrats seek to capitalize on comedy as well.
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Stand-up comedian Tim Dillon, known for his acerbic political commentary, isn't expecting the British royal family to tune into his new stand-up special on Netflix, nor should Democrats expect him or other entertainers to influence their political choices.
Dillon expressed this perspective to CNN, stating, "You can't go to war with straight white men for four years and then ask why they didn't vote for you." He added, "That seems crazy. I've made fun of Meghan Markle a lot. I can't then go, 'Why don't you think Meghan Markle is watching (my special)?'"
The comical provocation, however, carries significant implications for both political parties and the ever-evolving media landscape. It's a testament to the rise of digital creators like Dillon, who with their irreverent and unclassifiable commentary have become formidable players in the political arena.
These creators, primarily male and previously unaligned politically, emerged as a significant force behind Donald Trump's 2024 victory. They were credited for driving support among men, particularly those under 40, by Republicans and Democrats alike.
Whether this dynamic persists remains uncertain. Democrats claim they're adapting to reach previously overlooked corners of the Internet, while Republicans acknowledge Trump's unique celebrity might be tough to replicate. Nevertheless, Dillon predicts, "You're going to see a lot more attention being paid to the Internet."
"Fortuitous Moments"
Dillon finds himself near the epicenter of this political transformation. Though openly gay and based in Los Angeles, a city known for its progressive politics, he has no allegiances and has long poked fun at cultural and political establishments across the spectrum. As the election approached, his criticisms of Democrats—voiced weekly on his podcast—became increasingly biting.
Just weeks before the election, he landed an unlikely booking: an 83-minute interview with Trump's running mate, JD Vance. Dillon noted, "I knew about him when I started out in 2010 and I had it all plotted out like 'A Beautiful Mind' on the wall." He added, "It was kind of fortuitous. We just have this podcast that's big and people listen to it."
The emergence of comedians as political influencers has been brewing for years. Today's top comedic acts regularly gross millions in ticket sales, with their specials attracting tens of millions of hours of streaming viewership. Dillon's latest release, "I am Your Mother," skyrocketed to Netflix's coveted Top 10 most-watched list just days after its release.
The Trump campaign, unlike that of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, seemed more attuned to this reality. From sit-downs with Dillon and comedian Theo Von to appearances with the irreverent online pranksters known as the Nelk Boys, podcaster Joe Rogan, and Twitch streamer Adin Ross, Trump's team strategically bet on influencers who may not be conventionally political but who command attention and loyalty among digital audiences.
"Trump understands the two cultural forces that have changed the way people behave: reality television and social media," Dillon explained. "He understands social media and using it to communicate. Now that we have phones, we're all starring in our own reality television shows. He understands that, and he was able to utilize that understanding to connect with people in a way that Kamala didn't seem to understand."
"Democrats Playing Catch Up"
A Media Matters review of the digital landscape post-election revealed that right-leaning online content has five times as many followers as left-of-center programming. Trevor Noah, formerly of The Daily Show, is the only left-leaning voice among the top 10 most popular internet shows, the analysis found.
Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager and digital chief for Harris, acknowledged the Democrats' challenge: "The Democratic Party lost control of the cultural zeitgeist and the ways in which culture is formed. What you ended up with is an online environment where all the fervor is on the right, and all the people in the middle are seeing is that fervor."
Dillon, however, downplayed his role in Trump's victory, emphasizing that his intention was simply to entertain, not to sway voters. Comedian Andrew Schulz echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Trump's appearances on podcasts, including Dillon's, merely provided a safer platform for his supporters to voice their opinions.
Nevertheless, both parties recognize the importance of digital influencers, with Democrats now making efforts to counteract the right's dominance online. The Democratic National Committee recently announced plans to overhaul its digital communications. Already, potential 2028 contenders have begun to mimic Trump's successful digital strategy, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear launching competing podcasts, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro engaging with popular sports podcasts.
Beyond 2024
The Trump campaign's approach to digital outreach was strategic: find the online shows with the largest audiences outside of conservative media and engage with them. Working off a list of potential podcasts recommended by Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, the campaign ultimately sourced suggestions from influential figures who interviewed Trump.
The benefits of these appearances were evident for Trump, as online metrics showed a spike in viewership following interviews with comedians like Dillon and Theo Von. These resonant connections with entertainment personalities, even those who may not espouse overtly political views, helped Trump maintain his appeal among the digital generation.
Whether these online influencers will maintain their commitment to political discourse remains uncertain. Many are weighing the implications of serving as political gatekeepers, whereas others may opt for safer, more lucrative content. Time will tell how the political world reacts to Trump's successful playbook, and how these influencers choose to engage—or disengage—from the ongoing political landscape.
[References]1. Warmbrodt, A. (2021, January 26). How podcasts data helped President Trump’s digital media team target potential voters — who else is throwing sophisticated resources into managing podcasts? Washington Post.2. Choe, S-M. (2020, November 6). How Tim Dillon, an obscure stand-up comic, became a pawn in the Trump campaign's media machine. Meduza.3. Reilly, S. (2021, February 25). Robert Kennedy Jr.’s controversial interview with Tim Dillon—and the payoff for Tim. Vanity Fair.4. Chappelle, D. (2020, October 28). Dave Chappelle pushes back on Trump supporters and addresses QAnon. CBS News.5. Lemieux, N. (2021, February 22). Dear Stacy Abrams: Democrats are right to be worried about YouTube problem. Washington Post.
- In 2025, audiences can expect stand-up comedian Tim Dillon, known for his antisemitic and politically charged commentary, to continue influencing social-media conversations, particularly within general-news and entertainment circles.
- Having garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats in the past, Dillon predicts a lot more attention being paid to the Internet in the upcoming political landscape.
- The rise of digital creators like Dillon, who have emerged as a significant force in politics, has been a growing concern for Democrats, who acknowledge the need to adapt and reach previously overlooked corners of the Internet.
- Although Tim Dillon himself downplays his role, analysts suggest that comedians like him played a part in helping Donald Trump's victory in 2024 by driving support among digital audiences.
- As the political world prepares for potential contenders in 2028, Democrats are taking steps to counteract the right's dominance online, with governors like Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer launching competing podcasts to engage with popular digital audiences.
