Late into Thursday night, social media users fervently debated the outcome of Donald J. Trump’s hush-money trial. Even Michael Cohen got in on the action.
TikTok's Role in the Trump Verdict Discussion
Following the conviction of Donald J. Trump on all 34 felony counts in a New York court, TikTok became a hotspot for discussions about the verdict. For hours, late into the night on Thursday and into Friday morning, thousands of people around the world tuned into livestreams to hear from armchair experts, political commentators, lawyers, and even Michael D. Cohen himself.
Following the conviction of Donald J. Trump on all 34 felony counts in a New York court, TikTok became a hotspot for discussions about the verdict. For hours, late into the night on Thursday and into Friday morning, thousands of people around the world tuned into livestreams to hear from armchair experts, political commentators, lawyers, and even Michael D. Cohen himself.
Michael Cohen’s Victory Lap
Michael Cohen, the key witness in the criminal case against his former boss, had been using TikTok throughout the trial to engage with the public. On Thursday night, Cohen celebrated the verdict on a TikTok livestream, where social media users praised his testimony and sent blue hearts. He even invited other users to join his stream for direct conversations.
“To put it lightly, I’m a fan — that’s kind of weird,” one user told Cohen. “I think you did a very solid service to America.” However, not everyone was supportive. One user questioned Cohen about the jury’s decision, to which Cohen responded by criticizing the defense strategy and Trump’s influence over it. During the livestreams, viewers sent digital gifts, which sometimes added whimsical cartoon overlays to Cohen’s face as he spoke.
Other Influencers Weigh In
Beyond Cohen, numerous smaller groups and influencers took to TikTok to debate the trial’s outcome. Christian Reeves, a personal injury lawyer from Jacksonville, Florida, with a modest following of 17,000, spent much of Thursday night reading news articles about the trial to her viewers on a livestream. Pew Research Center found that about one-third of 18- to 29-year-olds get their news from TikTok, making creators like Reeves significant news sources.
Reeves, who often uses the platform to discuss political and current events relevant to her work, emphasized her desire to clarify misconceptions about the trial. “Some people didn’t really understand because they were asking, well, you know, ‘Paying hush money is not a crime,’” she explained. “And I said, ‘That’s correct. However!’” Reeves strives to remain nonpartisan by sourcing her information from various news outlets.
The Influence of Link Lauren
Link Lauren, a political influencer with nearly 500,000 followers, also spent Thursday night livestreaming. He noticed that many of his viewers were not well-informed about the trial’s details. “A majority of Americans, they’re busy with work. They’re busy with their kids’ school,” he said, noting that many people don’t have the time to focus on such trials.
Lauren encourages diverse opinions in his livestreams, striving to avoid echo chambers. Despite this, he observed a trend among his audience: many expressed renewed support for Trump. “I was getting a lot of DMs from people who said, ‘I’m a disaffected Democrat’ or ‘I’m an independent, but this is making me give to Donald Trump for the first time,’” he shared.
TikTok’s Growing Role in News Dissemination
TikTok has rapidly become a significant platform for news and political commentary, particularly among younger audiences. The trial's coverage on TikTok highlights the platform's influence in shaping public opinion and providing a space for real-time discussion. Influencers like Cohen, Reeves, and Lauren play crucial roles in this ecosystem, offering insights and sparking debates.
As TikTok continues to grow as a news source, the platform's ability to host nuanced and diverse discussions will be critical. Whether it's the outcome of a high-profile trial or everyday political discourse, TikTok is becoming an essential tool for understanding and engaging with the world.
Conclusion
The Trump verdict sparked extensive debate on TikTok, showcasing the platform's importance in contemporary political discourse. As influencers like Michael Cohen, Christian Reeves, and Link Lauren engage with their audiences, they provide a unique lens through which to view and understand significant events.
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Source: NY Times
Photo Credit: Link Lauren
Social Media Hashtags: #TrumpVerdict #TikTokNews #PoliticalInfluencers #MichaelCohen
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