TikTok, Instagram influencers could soon get their own White House briefing room

Relying on influencers’ reach could be part of US President Joe Biden’s strategy to reach younger voters ahead of next year’s election

His administration has previously relied on TikTokers, YouTubers and Twitch streamers for its messaging campaigns

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A reporter raises a hand to ask a question as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing at the White House earlier this month. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:21pm, 10 Apr 2023Updated: 1:22pm, 10 Apr 2023

Social media influencers may be a regular sight at the White House as US President Joe Biden’s administration considers giving them their own briefing room, according to reports.

The move is part of a strategy to coalesce influencers and reach a younger demographic that may not be tapped into mainstream news or follow the White House on social media, a report from Axios said.

Nearly 40 per cent of Gen Z in the United States prefers TikTok and Instagram over Google Search, according to Google’s own internal data.

“We’re trying to reach young people, but also moms who use different platforms to get information and climate activists and people whose main way of getting information is digital,” Jen O’Malley Dillon, White House deputy chief of staff, told Axios.

US President Joe Biden has yet to announce his re-election bid, but he remains the top Democratic contender for the 2024 campaign. Photo: Abaca Press/TNS

Relying on influencers’ reach could also be part of Biden’s strategy to reach younger voters ahead of the 2024 campaign. Biden has yet to announce his re-election bid, but he remains the top Democratic contender.

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