The latest U.S. lawmaker to interact with politically-minded creators is Ro Khanna. The U.S. Congressman (D-CA) hosted a live stream that took place outside the White House and included input from streamers like Vaush and Emma Vigeland.
The three-hour stream ranged across hot-button issues like climate change, affordable housing, and student debt. The influencers joined Khanna in groups, with Vaush (real name Ian Kochinski) and Vigeland helping the Congressman kick off his broadcast.
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The creators who linked up with Khanna are some of the strongest political voices on platforms like Twitch. Vaush has made headlines thanks to the lively debates he’s engaged in on social media. According to The Washington Post, another creator who met with Khanna in D.C. is Clara “Keffals” Sorrenti, who has used her platform to fight back against transphobic trolls.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle are turning to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok to connect with their constituents. “The new generation of Americans aren’t getting their news from MSNBC, CNN or Fox,” Khanna told The Washington Post. “That’s just not how millennials and Gen Z consume news or get inspired. One of the ways they’re making decisions is engaging with streamers. It’s the equivalent of talk radio or cable for the new generation.”
Khanna isn’t the only individual detailing the Democratic Party’s planned courtship of young voters. At the inaugural VidCon Baltimore, White House Director of Digital Strategy Christian Tom delivered an opening keynote in order to detail the Biden Administration’s interactions with creators. “The work we do with creators has the most upside and potential of all the communications methods we employ,” Tom said during his address.
Political engagement will remain a key topic as VidCon Baltimore carries on. A Saturday afternoon panel featuring creators like Vaush and Vigeland will discuss strategies that streamers can use to bridge idealogical divides in their communities.
