Position Paper 3: Social Media

 

Social media has transformed political communication. Politicians no longer depend entirely on television interviews, campaign advertisements, or newspapers to reach voters. Instead, they can communicate directly through Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms. However, their effectiveness depends on more than the number of followers they attract. Their personalities, communication styles, and ability to relate to audiences also matter.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), and President Donald Trump demonstrate three completely different approaches. Mamdani emphasizes relatable content and practical information, AOC showcases her work as an elected representative, and Trump uses direct, often confrontational political messaging. Their differences raise an important question: how do politicians use social media to build relationships with voters across generations, and what role did these platforms play in the 2026 midterm elections?

According to Statista's The Social Media Generation Gap, 79% of surveyed Gen Z social media users had used TikTok during the previous three months, compared with 64% of Millennials, 45% of Generation X, and only 23% of Baby Boomers. Instagram demonstrated a similar divide, with 86% of Gen Z respondents using the platform compared with 41% of Boomers.

Facebook, however, maintained relatively consistent usage across generations. These differences demonstrate why politicians must understand where their audiences spend time and how information is presented on those platforms.

Although Mamdani and AOC are Millennials and Trump is a Baby Boomer, their ages do not necessarily determine their audiences. Their communication styles and the platforms that distribute their messages matter just as much.

Zohran Mamdani's social media presence demonstrates how politicians can make government communication feel personal and relevant.

During his 2025 New York City mayoral campaign, Mamdani attracted attention through entertaining videos incorporating humor, recognizable locations, and discussions about affordability. WIRED examined how his campaign inspired supporters to create their own videos, artwork, and online content, extending political engagement beyond traditional advertisements.

What I find particularly interesting is how Mamdani continues communicating with New Yorkers as mayor. His social media is not exclusively focused on promoting himself or criticizing political opponents. It also provides information residents can use.

One example is his illustrated Instagram carousel about grocery affordability. Rather than simply announcing his plan for city-owned grocery stores, the post illustrates how many hours someone must work to afford a week's worth of groceries. This connects an economic problem to a recognizable experience before introducing a proposed solution.

Another example is his fire safety Instagram post, which highlights warning signs and precautions residents should recognize to help prevent fires. Unlike campaign content designed to persuade someone to vote, this post serves an immediate public purpose. It presents potentially important safety information in an accessible format and reminds followers to pay attention to hazards they might otherwise overlook.

I believe these examples contribute to Mamdani's perceived authenticity. He uses social media not only to discuss government policy but also to address ordinary concerns, from grocery bills to household safety. This gives constituents reasons to engage with his content beyond election season.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez uses social media to give audiences a direct view of her political work. Her official congressional Instagram account features videos and photographs showing her participating in public events, political discussions, and activities associated with her responsibilities as a representative.

This approach allows constituents to observe her work without relying entirely on traditional news coverage. Rather than simply reading that AOC participated in an event, followers can encounter photographs or videos documenting her involvement.

AOC also maintains a distinction between her official congressional account and her broader personal political identity. This illustrates how politicians can use different accounts for different communication purposes.

Like Mamdani, AOC uses visual storytelling, but the emphasis of her official account is often different. Mamdani's examples connect public information to everyday experiences, while AOC's content frequently emphasizes visibility and political activity.

Both approaches create opportunities for followers to feel more connected to elected officials, although online visibility does not automatically establish accountability or meaningful constituent engagement.

Donald Trump's social media personality provides a contrast. His communication frequently features emphatic language, capitalization, endorsements, repetition, and criticism of political opponents.

Trump primarily uses Truth Social for direct statements, allowing him to communicate without depending on journalists to deliver his initial message. His posts also frequently generate coverage from traditional news organizations, extending their reach beyond the platform itself.

An NPR analysis of Trump's Truth Social activity examined 2,249 posts during the first four months of 2026. Approximately 14% concerned the midterm elections, including endorsements and commentary about candidates.

His recognizable communication style helps maintain a consistent political identity. Supporters can receive his messages directly, while journalists and other social media users redistribute them to wider audiences.

However, attention and persuasion are different. A controversial post may generate substantial coverage because people disagree with it, not necessarily because it changes anyone's political opinion.

The 2026 elections revealed why generational communication matters.

According to the Associated Press's November 4 analysis, approximately seven in ten voters under 30 supported Democratic candidates in their local U.S. House races, compared with approximately three in ten who supported Republicans. Yet voters under 30 represented only about one-tenth of the national electorate.

Meanwhile, Tufts University's CIRCLE estimated that 27% of eligible voters ages 18–29 participated in the midterms.

These findings reveal an important distinction between online visibility and electoral participation. Younger Americans may spend substantial time on social platforms, but online engagement does not automatically translate into voting.

Social media also provides politicians with opportunities to reach audiences outside their immediate constituencies. Mamdani's 2025 campaign demonstrated how online enthusiasm could accompany volunteer organizing, while AOC and Trump illustrate how elected officials can continue shaping national political discussions through their accounts.

However, the 2026 results do not establish that any particular politician's posts caused voters to support one party over another. Economic concerns, political attitudes, and turnout also influenced the election.

Conclusion

Mamdani, AOC, and Trump demonstrate that social media is more than a place to advertise political positions. It allows politicians to establish recognizable identities and communicate with audiences in different ways.

Mamdani emphasizes relatable information and public service, AOC provides visibility into her political work, and Trump relies on direct messaging and a distinctive rhetorical style.

I believe political social media should be evaluated by more than likes, followers, and viral posts. Its greater value lies in helping people understand issues, encouraging participation, and maintaining communication between elected officials and the public. As generational media habits continue to evolve, the relationship between political personality and public engagement will remain an important part of American elections.