Esha Javed, a model and influencer with over 786,000 TikTok followers, recently expressed her frustrations in a viral video, declaring, “I’m crashing out. I’m done!” She reflected on her journey since joining the platform as a teenager, stating that she feels drastically changed and is “no longer the stupid brainwashed liberal” she once was. Javed's declaration of support for Trump and her controversial comments about body image sparked a significant backlash from her previous followers, leading to a loss of over a thousand Instagram followers after her political stance became public.
Her sentiments resonated with a growing number of influencers who are openly aligning with Trump following his recent electoral victory. For instance, Jena Covello, founder of Agent Nateur, shared an Instagram story wearing a Trump 2024 hat and received mixed reactions from her audience. Similarly, wellness influencer Vani Hari has been vocal about her political views, participating in events that align with MAGA ideologies. Jordan Younger, another influencer, criticized the divisive nature of current political discourse in a post-election rant without explicitly stating her voting choice.
The trend of influencers embracing right-wing politics marks a notable shift from previous years when many were hesitant to share their political beliefs due to fears of alienating followers or brands. Marketing experts suggest that the current climate allows influencers to express their political affiliations more freely without significant repercussions, as brand safety concerns have diminished. This shift has been facilitated by new social media platforms catering to conservative audiences, which provide alternative avenues for monetization and engagement.
Moreover, the endorsement of Trump by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has further encouraged influencers to adopt MAGA messaging, blending traditional conservative themes with health-related narratives. Influencers like Courtney Swan reported positive feedback after publicly supporting Trump, indicating a change in the political landscape that emboldens individuals to express their affiliations without as much fear of backlash as in previous election cycles.
Overall, the evolving dynamics of social media and political expression are reshaping how influencers engage with their audiences and navigate brand partnerships in the wake of Trump's electoral success.