Older candidates take the lead on social media – By Sara Fischer (Axios) / Feb 23 2020
Michael Bloomberg, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden — all close to 80 — are pushing the boundaries on social media, while their younger Democratic presidential rivals are comparatively staying out of the fray.
The big picture: President Trump’s unexpected rise to political power has shown Democrats and world leaders the power of harnessing popular internet culture to get elected.
Driving the news: Bloomberg’s strategies of hiring meme creators and paying people to promote his brand are just a few examples of the way the 78-year-old former New York City mayor is pushing the boundaries on social media.
- In recent weeks, Bloomberg has sharpened his attacks on Twitter, mimicking Trump’s brash, straightforward language.
- “Impeached president says what?” he responded to one Trump Twitter insult last week.
- He’s even given Trump a new nickname that he tweets repeatedly — “#carnivalbarkingclown.”
Trump has long nicknamed his rivals in an effort to brand them as old, weak and crazy — i.e.: “Sleepy Joe,” “Crazy Bernie,” and “Mini Mike.”
Like Trump, Bloomberg is taking advantage of the loose regulations and mass reach of internet platforms in order to rally supporters.
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