Over the weekend, former President Barack Obama spoke before a select group of social media creators, telling them their influence matters during this “cynical time.”
Obama was speaking at a Biden campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles when he tried to make an appeal to the group of TikTok and Instagram influencers. The former president acknowledged their struggle in addressing politics online and said it’s even forced him out of the sphere.
“We live in a cynical time,” Obama said. “Let’s face it: I think a lot of the people who watch you, listen to you, who are fans of you — a lot of times they feel turned off by the political discourse. I get it. You know, I frankly watch sports, mostly. Because it feels like everything is slash and burn.”
A crucial part of President Joe Biden’s campaign strategy is appealing to younger voters.
While many have been skeptical about the presumed Democratic nominee over his age and certain key policy matters, Obama said it was normal.
“Joe Biden, you may not agree with everything he does,” Obama said. “By the way, you didn’t agree with everything I did. And that’s OK. Because in a big, messy, complicated country like this, there are going to be disagreements.”
He went on to say that at the end of the day, his former VP is going to make the best choices time and time again.
“But Joe Biden’s basic trajectory — what he believes in his core,” he continued. “Nine times out of 10, he’s going to make decisions that accord with your core beliefs.”
Obama went on to encourage the creators to look past their differences, find common ground, and use their platforms to help reach those who would otherwise be disinterested in the election.
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“I need you guys to use your influence, and it doesn’t have to be boring. I don’t expect you to have a bunch of charts and graphs,” Obama said. “I understand folks are swiping or scrolling, and you’ve got to use humor, and you’ve got to use other things that are engaging people.”
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