Walz appears on popular social media account SubwayTakes, latest stop in influencer battle
Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appeared on the popular social media account "SubwayTakes" Monday, marking the latest moment in the social media battle defining the 2024 presidential race.
In the video Walz discusses the value of well-kept gutters, regional hardware stores and the Minnesota delicacy that is the Juicy Lucy style hamburger.
The account features host Kareem Rahma interviewing people and asking for "hot takes" on subways, primarily in New York City. The account has over 484,000 followers on Tik Tok.
Walz's appearance comes on the heels of a Democratic National Convention that offered unprecedented access to social media creators in a sign of social media's increasing reach and importance for younger voters.
"These trusted digital messengers are able to share messages about the campaign that are unique, that are true to them, true to their life, and specific to the communities that they've curated online," reproductive rights advocate and social media influencer Deja Foxx told USA TODAY at the convention.
Walz's appearance on "SubwayTakes" aims to bolster the "America's Midwestern Dad" persona the Minnesota Governor has cultivated since his elevation to the ticket.
Bipartisan social media blitz
The Harris-Walz ticket is not alone in its outreach to younger voters via influencers.
In June former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump was a guest on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, hosted by influencer and WWE wrestler Jake Paul. Trump then appeared on LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau's YouTube channel as a part of a "Break 50" video in July.
Earlier this month, Trump sat for a 22-minute interview with far-right streamer Adin Ross, broadcast on the gaming and livestreaming platform, Kick. During the stream Ross gifted Trump a Rolex watch and Tesla Cybertruck, potentially violating Federal Election Commission rules on campaign contributions.
The strategy of bypassing traditional ad buys for "earned" media was a hallmark of Trump's 2016 victory as he utilized the equivalent of nearly $5 billion in media coverage in the general election to beat the odds and defeat Hillary Clinton, according to The Street.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz's SubwayTakes appearance latest in election influencer blitz