Politicians on TikTok, a virtual Kmart and a new, ad-free social network

Franklin D. Roosevelt mastered radio. John F. Kennedy had a face made for television. Donald Trump built a campaign on Twitter and now, just a few years later, politicians have flocked to TikTok. Why? Because that’s the best way to reach Gen Z. 

Historically, the youngest eligible voters are the least likely to vote. During the 2020 election cycle, only 51.4% of 18- to 24-year-olds came to the polls (that’s an 11-point increase from 2016). But with roughly 600 million Gen Z-ers on TikTok, more politicians are using it as a tool to attract young voters’ attention.