CNN commentator Van Jones says Vice President Harris' image has undergone a transformation on social media, largely due to TikTok.
Van Jones, a CNN commentator and former Obama administration official, has observed a significant shift in public perception of Vice President Kamala Harris, attributing her newfound popularity to the influence of social media and her ability to connect with a younger generation.
"All the things that were cringe-y about Kamala — her laugh, the coconut tree comment, being unburdened — like, all those weird things she said, she’s gone from cringe to cool in 24 hours as a whole generation has taken all that content and remixed it in all these incredible TikTok videos," Jones said on CNN Monday.
Kamala Harris: From 'Cringe' to 'Cool' in a Matter of Days
Harris's campaign has reported raising $81 million in the first 24 hours since President Biden endorsed her as his successor in the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Jones argues that this surge in support is not solely due to Biden's endorsement but also reflects Harris's image transformation on TikTok.
Jones believes that Harris's ability to engage with a younger audience on social media has played a crucial role in her recent popularity boost. He noted that the younger generation has embraced Harris's perceived quirks and authenticity, remixing her content in creative ways.
Kamala Harris: From 'Cringe' to 'Cool' in a Matter of Days
This positive reception on TikTok has had a spillover effect, enhancing Harris's image among the broader public. Jones argues that this shift has been particularly pronounced in contrast to the perception of Harris as a somewhat awkward figure within the Democratic Party.
"For three weeks after Joe Biden had that debate debacle, we were kind of sitting outside the ICU with a death watch for democracy," Jones said. "Just imagine what it's going to be like to have Donald Trump back in charge, what he’s going to do to us."
Kamala Harris: From 'Cringe' to 'Cool' in a Matter of Days
However, Jones believes that the Democratic Party has rebounded with Harris as their front-runner, galvanizing a new "movement" within the party. He emphasizes that this movement is not focused on the divisions that plagued the Democratic Party in the past.
"This is not the normal Democratic Party where we’re all arguing and busting about pronouns and syllables and semicolons," Jones said. "We are passionate about stopping Donald Trump, and she has pulled together an unbelievable movement behind her. This is not a campaign. This is a movement."
Jones was a vocal supporter of Biden in the media before the former president's debate performance against Trump. After Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, Jones praised him for making a difficult decision. Despite previously expressing admiration for Trump's campaign strategy, Jones believes that Harris can create a formidable coalition to oppose him in the 2024 election.
"The minute that Joe Biden stepped back and let someone else step forward, she caught a rocket ship of enthusiasm and hope and this pent-up desire for something not the future that looked like it was going to be inevitable," Jones said.
Jones's observations highlight the significant impact of social media in the modern political landscape and the power of a candidate's ability to connect with a younger audience. Harris's success in leveraging TikTok to enhance her image suggests that social media platforms can be a valuable tool for political candidates seeking to build a broad base of support.
