As the 2024 U.S. Presidential race intensifies, Vice President Kamala Harris is emerging as a formidable opponent to former President Donald Trump, who is grappling with shrinking crowds at his once-packed rallies.
The dynamic between the two campaigns is playing out not just on the ground but increasingly on social media, where viral videos and savvy digital strategies are shaping public perception in real time.
In a recent rally in Walker, Michigan, Trump found himself facing an unfamiliar sight: attendees leaving before he had finished speaking. The moment, captured on video, quickly spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where Harris’s campaign team seized the opportunity to mock Trump’s diminishing support. The viral video has since become a focal point of Harris’s efforts to highlight what her campaign views as a sign of Trump’s waning political influence.
The Power of Viral Videos
Kamala Harris’s team has been particularly adept at using social media to its advantage. The viral video from Trump’s Walker rally is just one example of how the Harris campaign has leveraged footage of Trump’s events to counter his claims of unyielding popularity. Trump, known for his obsession with crowd sizes, has long relied on large, enthusiastic rallies as a marker of his political strength. But in 2024, these visuals tell a different story, one that Harris’s team has capitalized on with precision.
In contrast to Trump’s events, Harris’s rallies have seen growing attendance, further highlighted by her strategic social media use. By posting clips of Trump speaking to rows of empty chairs while voters leave in droves, Harris’s campaign has managed to flip the narrative. This shift was particularly notable after Trump bragged in an interview that “nobody leaves” his rallies early—a claim quickly contradicted by the viral footage shared by Harris’s team.
Harris’s Rise on Social Media
Kamala Harris has effectively positioned herself as a digital-savvy candidate who uses humor and sarcasm to connect with voters. Her campaign has frequently posted videos that highlight Trump’s diminishing crowds, juxtaposing them with her own well-attended events. The strategy seems to be working. Polls show Harris closing the gap with Trump, particularly in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where voter sentiment may decide the election.
A significant boost to Harris’s momentum came from pop superstar Taylor Swift, who recently endorsed her for president. Swift, who has 283 million Instagram followers, posted her support for Harris, calling her a “steady-handed, gifted leader” and criticizing Trump’s chaotic leadership style. The endorsement immediately went viral, further helping Harris connect with younger voters—a demographic that has traditionally been more difficult for Democrats to mobilize.
Trump responded to Swift’s endorsement with an all-caps rant, declaring, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT.” The outburst only fueled more attention for Harris, who remained calm and focused, reiterating her vision for the country. Swift’s endorsement, along with Harris’s effective use of social media, has drawn attention to the stark contrast between the two candidates’ approaches: Trump’s reliance on brash statements and crowd sizes versus Harris’s calm, calculated, and often humorous engagement with voters.
Trump’s Struggles with Attendance and Exaggeration
For years, Trump has used the size of his crowds as proof of his dominance and popularity. During his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, Trump frequently inflated crowd numbers to paint a picture of overwhelming support. However, as the 2024 race unfolds, those claims are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Multiple videos from Trump’s recent rallies show dwindling attendance, with large portions of the audience leaving early or empty seats visible in once-packed venues.
One particularly embarrassing moment for Trump came during a rally in Georgia, where he was unable to fill the venue just days after Harris had held a successful event in the same location. Videos of Trump’s half-empty rally were quickly circulated online, with Harris’s team wasting no time in contrasting the turnout with her own rally’s full house. Trump’s team, as expected, dismissed the footage as “misleading,” accusing Harris of manipulating the visuals to distort reality.
Despite these defenses, Trump’s struggle with exaggerated crowd sizes appears to be taking a toll on his campaign. The viral images of empty chairs and early departures have raised questions about his ability to galvanize the Republican base as he did in previous elections. His ongoing legal troubles and repetitive messaging may also be contributing factors to the decline in enthusiasm, with some voters expressing “rally fatigue.”
Harris’s Humor and Digital Strategy Shine
Harris’s campaign has found success not only in highlighting Trump’s weaknesses but also in positioning the vice president as a candidate with energy, momentum, and widespread support. Her use of humor and sarcasm has resonated with voters, particularly in the aftermath of the first debate, where she invited viewers to attend one of Trump’s rallies to see attendees leave “out of exhaustion and boredom.”
In the broader context of the 2024 campaign, Harris’s ability to effectively use social media to undermine Trump’s claims has given her a significant edge. The viral nature of these moments, coupled with her calm demeanor in response to Trump’s provocations, has helped her connect with a wide array of voters, particularly younger generations who consume most of their political content online.
A Shift in Political Fortunes?
As the campaign progresses, Trump’s once-unquestioned dominance in the Republican Party is being challenged not only by Harris but also by rising figures within his own party, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The empty seats at Trump’s rallies, combined with his legal troubles and the emergence of other Republican contenders, suggest that his grip on the GOP may be slipping.
For Harris, this shift represents a unique opportunity. With Trump’s popularity declining, she has positioned herself as the candidate with the most momentum heading into the final stretch of the election. Her campaign has successfully used social media to paint Trump as a fading political force while building her own image as a capable, steady leader ready to take on the nation’s challenges.
Conclusion
The 2024 election is proving to be a battleground where social media plays a central role in shaping public perception. Kamala Harris’s adept use of viral videos, humor, and celebrity endorsements has allowed her to challenge Donald Trump’s long-standing dominance in ways that resonate with modern voters. As Trump’s rallies continue to show signs of decline, the question remains: Can Harris sustain this momentum through Election Day, or will Trump find a way to bounce back despite the mounting challenges?
As the political landscape shifts, one thing is clear—this election will be decided not only by policy but by the power of perception, viral videos, and digital strategy.