The race for the American presidential seat has always been fiercely competitive, with candidates competing for the nation’s devoted attention. This year is no exception, as Trump and Biden make their debut on TikTok for the first time. However, this might be the first time social media has captivated the nation to this extent. Kamala Harris, 59, the former vice president and current presidential candidate, is breaking world records. She is the first Black woman to secure over 40 percent of the votes, currently holding 49 percent, she additionally raised a record-breaking $81 million in donations on her first day of campaigning. Harris has transformed the political landscape with her unique approach, using a Twitter handle inspired by a joke related to British pop star Charli XCX’s album, “Brat.”
Brat is a popular album by British artist, Charli XCX. A “brat girl summer” is seen as a mindset. Charli XCX has defined an archetypal brat as someone who is “just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things… but then also maybe has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it”. Recently, Charli XCX has referred to Kamala as “The epitome of a brat”, praise from the singer. Charli’s chosen album colour was a neon green, the same neon green used as a backdrop for Kamala’s Twitter account, leaning into the meme. This gained a lot of attention and praise from the youth but has also received backlash as older generations are confused by the topic. For the first time ever in history, politics is being held and conducted by the current contemporary generation, not older ones; this is causing older generations to become confused or upset as they do not understand the current political climate or jokes surfacing among millennials and Gen Z.
Although, this is not the first time Kamala has reached the praise of younger audiences or become a meme. Kamala started the infamous coconut tree meme on all social platforms, Kamala said, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree…, you exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you”, referring to what her mother said to motivate her. This joke has gone viral for just the sheer randomness and dichotomy of a coconut tree being compared to a very sentimental philosophical context of space and time. This went viral with supporters and political leaders alike posting coconut emojis and memes surrounding it. Both incidents have caused Kamala to receive many endorsements from celebrities and people in political positions such as Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Charli XCX, and many others.
All of this has helped her rise to power, although power does come with adversities. With the conservative side, particular JD Vance (US Senator) making various inappropriate remarks about her identity and just blatantly disgusting comments such as saying she “race changes constantly to get young voters… and how she has the utmost privilege as a black woman”. Though, Kamala supporters have ensured that these comments are not ignored, and people must be held accountable for what they have said.
Both the ‘brat’ and ‘coconut tree’ memes have helped her gain attention and made people believe that she’s a humorous person. That she is relatable, funny and nice but also powerful. People have realised this through the impact of her memes, it has also highlighted the immense strength she has and will continue to grow if she were to become president. She has already mentioned changing various laws to protect LGBTQ people’s rights, trans rights, pro-life rights, prohibiting gun violence and more. Ultimately bringing America out of the conservative and into the progressive.
