“I’m viewing the 2024 U.S. election through the lens of economic concerns, media influence, and social media’s role in shaping political narratives amidst a landscape marked by division and voter priorities,” Vinta Nanda writes.

The 2024 U.S. election, marked by Donald Trump’s unexpected return to power, has reignited debates about American priorities, economic promises, and the media’s role in influencing public perception. Trump’s emphasis on economic stability and job creation struck a chord with voters grappling with inflation and financial pressures, while Kamala Harris’s focus on identity politics and social justice struggled to gain similar traction. Media outlets often amplified Trump’s right-wing, capitalist rhetoric, deflecting public attention away from ideologically driven narratives of gender and justice. Social media giants, especially Twitter, played a decisive role, intensifying polarized conversations and magnifying Trump’s messaging, steering the national discourse toward conservative economic ideals. As social platforms continue to shape modern politics, understanding these deflections and their impact on voter priorities is critical for future campaigns.

Lessons from the 2024 Election and the Influence of Social Media

The outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with Donald Trump reclaiming the presidency, raises compelling questions about democracy, media, and voter priorities. A tweet by @kellyscalleta, summarizing Trump’s controversial past—allegations of attempting a coup, mishandling national secrets, numerous legal battles, and staggering debt—struck a chord. "How do we explain this?" I ask, articulating a question that resonates among many baffled by Trump's resurgence. Despite a history of scandals, Trump’s appeal persisted. What compelled voters to look past these controversies? And in an age where platforms like Twitter shape public discourse and amplify narratives, how did social media influence the race?

Economic Security as a Driving Force

At its core, the 2024 election revealed that economic security remained a top priority for most Americans. Trump’s platform, centred on tax cuts, inflation control, and strict immigration policies, spoke directly to these concerns. In contrast, Kamala Harris’s campaign leaned heavily on themes of gender and racial equity, which—while significant—did not resonate as strongly with a broad demographic of voters focused on day-to-day survival and stability. This points to a critical distinction in voter perception: Trump’s promises, emphasized by his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan, seemed immediate, while Harris’s platform may have appeared to many as prioritizing issues outside their immediate economic reality.

While Harris’s focus on representation and social justice undoubtedly held meaning, Trump’s campaign tapped into anxieties about job security, financial stability, and economic opportunity. Trump’s rhetoric assured voters that he could revive the economy, leading voters to compartmentalize his moral and ethical controversies in favour of his perceived ability to deliver economic results rather than his personal character.

Today’s voters’ willingness to “roll the dice” on a leader with a controversial, even criminal past reflects a profound desperation and distrust in traditional governance. Faced with economic strain and a sense of being unheard, many appear ready to gamble on someone who represents disruption, even if that person’s history is rife with scandal. This readiness to overlook—or even defend—an offender hints at a belief that propriety and conventional leadership have failed to bring meaningful change. For some, this gamble is also intertwined with a desire to see their own identity or race upheld, overshadowing ethical concerns in favour of cultural or ideological representation. This election reveals a shift toward prioritizing impact over integrity, as voters seek solutions over standards. 

The Role of Media Narratives

The media has long shaped public opinion, and in this election, the narrative of a "deeply divided America" prevailed. From news networks to online publications, a near-constant emphasis on racial and gender divides created an atmosphere of tension. This strategy effectively trapped the Democrats in ideological battles over identity, redirecting attention away from policy-driven discussions on economic stability and public welfare. With the media amplifying these divides, many voters came to see the Democrats as preoccupied with identity politics, while their own daily struggles with inflation, job security, and personal safety went unaddressed. This fuelled a “culture war” narrative that Trump, with his populist appeal, capitalized on, positioning himself as a champion of the everyday American’s needs over what many view as the “elite” concerns of social justice.

Twitter and Social Media: The Amplifiers of Modern Politics

Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have emerged as powerful players in modern elections, shaping narratives, fuelling controversies, and offering candidates direct engagement with voters. Trump’s return to Twitter allowed him to bypass traditional media, speaking unfiltered to his base and solidifying his image as a leader who "tells it like it is." Trump’s soundbite-ready rhetoric fit seamlessly into Twitter’s rapid-fire format, drawing attention to his economic messaging in ways that felt immediate and relevant.

This environment, where sensationalism thrives, also allowed right-wing voices to trap Harris in identity-based discourse, overshadowing her broader economic agenda. As topics like race and gender began to dominate, amplified by Twitter’s engagement-driven algorithms, her policy goals were frequently sidelined.

The Challenge for Future Campaigns

The 2024 election serves as a lesson in strategy for political campaigns navigating a media landscape shaped by sensationalism and social media influence. For liberals and progressive candidates, focusing on broad-based policy initiatives that address real-world concerns can prove more effective than leaning heavily into identity politics. The electorate’s apparent prioritization of economic security over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) narratives suggests that future campaigns may need to balance issues of representation with practical policy solutions that resonate with wider populations.

For liberals and progressives, the challenge will be to resist the “media trap” of identity-focused narratives that can alienate even minority and marginalized voters who are, today, more concerned with their immediate well-being. While representation and social justice are critical, campaigns will need to frame these within a broader context that includes economic stability, public safety, and opportunity.

The Public Responsibility

As influential as the media and social platforms have become, the public also has a critical responsibility to engage with these narratives thoughtfully. Instead of relying on the media as an absolute guide, viewing it as one of many perspectives empowers citizens to make informed choices and see beyond sensationalized divisions. When voters look past manufactured divides and focus on a broader, more nuanced view of policy options, political discourse can better address the issues that truly affect them.

However, there is an inherent risk in overlooking ethical standards for the promise of immediate solutions. Placing faith in a candidate with a questionable or criminal track record in hopes of perceived results is a high-stakes gamble—one that progressive and liberal candidates need to address openly with their voters.