Caroline Downey

When political campaigns leverage internet culture and niche digital platforms to bypass traditional media, the landscape of presidential strategy undergoes a massive transformation. Caroline Downey breaks down how Donald Trump's presidential campaign embraced an "extremely online" strategy, targeting voters through viral podcasts, live streams, influencer appearances, and meme culture. Unpacking his appearances on platforms hosted by figures like Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Adin Ross, and the Nelk Boys, Caroline details how reaching young men and disaffected voters outside of legacy broadcast news proved to be a decisive electoral advantage. Dissecting the contrast between traditional cable news hits and unfiltered, hours-long digital conversations, Caroline explores how the campaign successfully turned internet virality and social media engagement into real-world political momentum. What does this shift toward digital-first campaign strategy reveal about the declining influence of mainstream media gatekeepers and the future of political communications? Watch Caroline’s full analysis, leave your thoughts below, and subscribe to National Review!