President Joe Biden welcomed over 100 social media influencers to the White House to discuss important issues such as mental health, pay equity, and the abuse of artificial intelligence. The influencers, representing various fields including chefs, makeup artists, fitness gurus, and medical students, were acknowledged for their ability to connect with millions of followers.
During the gathering in the Indian Treaty Room, President Biden praised the influencers, stating, 'You are the future, the source of news, and the new breakthrough in communication.' He humorously added, 'And that’s why I invited you to the White House, because I’m looking for a job.'
Among the attendees were prominent figures like makeup artist Jackie Aina, chef My Nguyen, and medical student Joel Bervell, collectively reaching millions of followers on social media platforms.
The event highlighted the significant impact of the content creator economy, valued at approximately $250 billion globally. The White House's recognition of this sector also underscores the importance of the youth vote in the upcoming presidential election, with both Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump vying for support from young voters.
While Harris has garnered endorsements from youth-led groups, Trump has engaged with influencers to appeal to younger male voters. Notably, Trump recently interacted with a popular Twitch streamer, receiving a unique gift at the end of the interview.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is entangled in a legal dispute with TikTok over a federal law that could impact the platform's future in the U.S. The law requires TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a U.S.-approved buyer or face a ban, prompting opposition from many TikTok creators.
Despite previous negotiations between TikTok and the Biden administration, a resolution has not been reached, raising concerns about the platform's operations in the U.S. as the deadline approaches.
