Teens are making thousands debating Trump vs. Harris on TikTok
+ Webby Awards opens entries, Fyre Festival II, and NASA is seeking social media influencers for their latest space launch
The real political debate is on TikTok Live
TikTok Live is a strange and dystopian place, but as the U.S. election heats up, I noticed not long ago that my entire feed has become political livestream battles. Young people, some not even old enough to vote, are raking in thousands of dollars a month through these streams. They debate who people should vote for and fight about the candidates’ policies and views on social issues.
Many of these debates take place on TikTok Live Match, a feature that originated in China but has skyrocketed in popularity in the U.S. On live match, two creators go up against each other in round that last five minutes. As they fight with each other viewers attempt to boost their favored creator by showering them with virtual gifts (little digital animations that come on screen in the form of an ice cream cone or things like animals) that correlate to real cash value.
Sometimes the loser will endure a joke punishment like shaving their moustache, pouring a drink on their head, or doing something embarrassing. The live matches initially took off among mainstream influencers as a quick and easy way to make a large amount of money. YouTube star and former Vlog Squad member Jason Nash was doing them for hours daily at one point.
But as the 2024 presidential election approaches, a group of creators, known as “political battlers,” have adopted the format to stage political debates and are finding massive success. Viola Zhou at Rest of World wrote an excellent piece on the phenomenon:
On TikTok Live, creators have made money in the past from debates pitting personalities like Vladimir Putin against Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against his predecessor and opponent Jair Bolsonaro. Globally, TikTok is playing an increasing role in hosting political discussions. Ahead of 2024 elections in countries including Indonesia, the U.K., France, Germany, and Mexico, politicians have sought to reach out to young voters by not only promoting policies but also dancing, singing, and mocking their opponents with silly memes.
The live battles are netting students up to $7,000 a month, and some are using it to pay college tuition: “Easiest money we will probably ever make.”
On the afternoon of August 19, Democrat Liam Keyes entered a TikTok battle. Against a blue background, the 19-year-old lashed out at his Republican opponent, fellow TikToker “Jackson,” who donned a “Trump 2024” cap and spoke in front of a Donald Trump portrait. More than 150 viewers joined the room.
“She listens to us, bro. She is not self-centered!” Keyes, in a black hoodie, hollored from one side of the split screen. “She puts the people before herself.”
“Just wait until she gets into an actual debate,” Jackson, livestreaming from the other side, fought back. “You’re gonna see how much of an idiot Kamala Harris really is!”
The showdown took place through a niche TikTok feature called “live match.” As the 2024 presidential election approaches, a group of creators, known as “political battlers,” have adopted the format to stage political debates.
Keyes started doing live matches in the spring, after noticing how many gifts streamers received for debating politics. As a liberal, he reached out to conservative creators on TikTok, inviting them to live matches. The hustle paid off quickly. Keyes makes $100 to $1,000 from one night’s battling.
You can watch my full discussion with Viola about TikTok political battles above 👆, or listen to the latest episode of Power User wherever you get your podcasts.
The Webby Awards goes all in on creators
For those of us who make things for the internet, winning a Webby Award is an accomplishment. The New York Times has called the awards “The Internet's highest honor” and, as someone who loves seeing all the brilliant and creative things people make online, I love pouring over the finalists every year.
Now, I’m so excited and honored to announce that I’ll be joining The Webby Awards as a judge!!
The Webbys were created back in 1997, initially to honor the best websites. Kate Lindsay at Embedded did a great rundown on the original Webby winners. Over the years, the awards have grown and evolved as the web has expanded to include categories in social media, video, podcasts, and more.
This year, The Webby Awards has a whole list of brand-new recognitions honoring content creators, including Best Editing, Best Series, Best Community Engagement, Best Tutorial, and Most Viral. The awards will be selecting a Best Creator or Influencer Series in Podcasts and Best Creator, Personality or Host in Video & Film.
Individual creators will also be recognized in various categories including comedy, fashion and beauty, fitness, travel, food, sports, and more. There’s also a category for news and politics creators, which I’m so excited about.
Enter The Webby Awards before their Early Entry Deadline on October 25, 2024 by visiting webbyawards.com. (I’m excited to see your work!)
What I’m reading
From baking to MrBeast: Meet the YouTuber taking on the platform’s biggest creator
Rosanna Pansino, one of YouTube’s earliest influencers, has emerged as the only major creator who’s vocally criticizing MrBeast online. - NBC
Yet Another iPhone, Dear God
What do you mean, you don’t need four studio-quality microphones? - The Atlantic
Fyre Festival II Is Happening. The Only Question Is Where. And When. And How.
Billy McFarland’s first Fyre Fest was a disaster that landed him in prison for fraud and left him with $26 million in debts. This time, he says, it ‘has to work.’ - WSJ
Ted Chiang Is Wrong About AI Art
It’s real. But it isn’t revolutionary argues Matteo Wong. - The Atlantic
Comedian Lucas Zelnick Is Huge on TikTok—But Don’t Hold That Against Him
A self-described “rich kid” from Manhattan who’s known online for his viral crowd work clips, Zelnick is building his career the old-fashioned way: Performing in American cities like Plano, Texas, for lefty young people. - GQ
How Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel
Understanding Gen Z’s near-constant sparks of inspiration reveals how they really navigate the world — and where, how, and why they embrace brands along the way. - Vogue Business
Mehdi Hasan saw a market for a new kind of media company. So far, so good.
The former MSNBC host’s Substack-based Zeteo News has 31,000 paid subscribers and some $3 million in revenue in just four months. - WaPo
Why Hollywood is Actually Watching Your TikToks
Who TF Did I Marry might be the first scripted drama to emerge based entirely on TikToks. It almost certainly will not be the last. - Passionfruit
Mysterious influencer network pushed sexual smears of Harris
The organizers of a mysterious network paid influencers to promote smears of Harris as Democrats rallied around her to be their presidential candidate in late July. - Semafor
More fun stuff
Being a global waterpark influencer sounds like a fun summer job.
Women are throwing egg showers and birthday parties for their frozen eggs.
The Reddit mystery of the elusive 'Celebrity Number Six' has finally been solved!
Target has introduced a Stanley tumbler-inspired costume in time for Halloween.
NASA is looking for social media influencers to travel to Florida and document the upcoming launch of a spacecraft bound for the Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Eater investigates how every recipe became garlicky lemony with all the beans.
Architectural Digest dissects the rise of Millennial grey, “the monochromatic color palette that Gen Z loves to hate.”
Every single company’s website right now.
Fyre Festival II has announced a date and location, get your tickets if you dare.
Apple will soon allow allow us to create custom emoji.
Two years after Andreessen Horowitz went “all in” on Miami, crypto has melted down and a16z’s Miami office has quietly shuttered.
Inside the dangerous, secretive world of extreme fishing, where people swim out into rough seas in the middle of the night to hunt for striped bass.
Finally, an affordable house in L.A. is for sale for just $499,999. The only catch is that it’s been crushed by a tree. Listing agent Kevin Wheeler joked that it's an "open-concept floor plan."
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