High-profile right-wing influencers were briefed on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s voter registration bill well in advance of its announcement in what appears to be a coordinated social media campaign aimed at drumming up support for the legislation. The bill was called the SAVE Act and targeted voting by noncitizens, which is already illegal and rare. Influencers posted details about the bill before its announcement, with some even receiving early information about the legislation. Johnson announced the bill alongside former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, potentially to gain support from the far-right base amid attacks from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Conservative influencers, such as Ryan Fournier and Chrissy Clark, posted about the SAVE Act before Johnson’s news conference, offering policy details that were not yet public. Influencers like DC_Draino and EndWokeness promoted the legislation online, calling for its passage and explaining its provisions. Rep. Chip Roy also reposted information about the bill, claiming authorship, despite the bill not yet being filed. The bill aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, a concept that is already a requirement in many states.
Despite the support drummed up by conservative influencers, the bill is dead on arrival in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority. Johnson acknowledged this fact but expressed interest in putting the bill to a vote to get lawmakers on record regarding their beliefs on American elections. The bill, if passed, would not change much regarding voter registration since it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in state and federal elections. However, some local municipalities allow noncitizen voting in local elections.
Influencers like Isabella DeLuca and Ding News also posted about the SAVE Act before and after Johnson’s news conference, showing their support for the bill and emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of American elections. DeLuca, who was arrested on Jan. 6 charges, posted about the bill’s role in fortifying democracy and elections. The use of social media and high-profile influencers to promote the legislation highlights the influence of these individuals in shaping public opinion and potentially swaying political outcomes.
The involvement of influencers in the promotion of Johnson’s bill raises questions about the coordination between lawmakers and social media personalities in pushing legislative agendas. The early dissemination of information about the bill to specific influencers suggests a strategic effort to garner support from conservative audiences before the bill was officially announced. The use of hashtags like #partnership in influencer posts also sparks concerns about potential financial incentives or partnerships behind the promotion of certain legislation.
Overall, the coordinated social media campaign surrounding the SAVE Act highlights the evolving ways in which political messages are disseminated and supported in the digital age. Influencers play an increasingly significant role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for legislative initiatives, as seen in this case with Johnson’s voter registration bill. The use of social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter to reach broad audiences quickly and effectively underscores the power of these platforms in influencing public discourse and potentially impacting political outcomes.
