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How did social media influence the election results in the last presidential race?

Montel Roxby

Social media played a significant role in the last presidential race, influencing the election results in numerous ways. As a user of social media, I witnessed firsthand how it shaped public opinion and perception of the candidates.

Firstly, social media served as a platform for political campaigns to reach a wider audience. Political advertisements flooded newsfeeds, garnering thousands of shares, likes, and comments. These ads were carefully crafted to appeal to specific demographics, exploiting people's fears, anxieties, and biases. It was a game of psychological manipulation, and social media was the perfect playing field.

Secondly, social media enabled people to converse about politics, sharing their views and opinions with others. This created a sense of community, where people with similar beliefs could gather and amplify their voice. It also allowed people to engage in political discussions, challenging their own beliefs and perspectives. However, this sense of community also fueled tribalism, where individuals became increasingly polarized and hostile towards those who held opposing views.

Thirdly, social media had a significant impact on the spread of misinformation and fake news. People's newsfeeds were flooded with stories that were inaccurate, misleading, or downright false. This propagated rumors, conspiracy theories, and provoked outrage, feeding into confirmation bias and further polarizing individuals. In essence, people could create their own reality, getting caught in an echo chamber of their own beliefs.

Fourthly, social media introduced new forms of advocacy and activism. People could utilize social media to rally support for their respective candidates, mobilize protests, and form new grassroots movements. This led to a surge in political engagement, where citizens felt empowered to take part in the democratic process.

Lastly, social media played a role in the results of the election, particularly in swaying key swing states. Several political experts suggest that the Trump campaign's use of social media played a vital role in his victory. It allowed the campaign to resonate with voters on a more personal level, the direct messaging feature used in the run-up to the election allowed Trump to communicate with voters seamlessly.

In conclusion, social media had an undeniable influence on the last presidential race. It allowed campaigns to reach new levels of personalization and micro-targeting for voters, creating echo chambers and fueling a sense of polarization. It's safe to say that moving forward, social media will continue to play a role in shaping public opinion and political discourse. However, the question remains—will social media aid democracy, or will it cripple it?