Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been gaining popularity on TikTok Live by participating in town halls with creators on the platform to discuss controversial topics. During a recent livestream titled “The Sickening of America,” Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, engaged in discussions about food and vaccine safety, as well as the debunked theory linking vaccines and gluten to autism.
The town hall was organized by TikTokker Tiffany Cianci, who has been hosting similar events with third-party campaigns and creators. Despite reaching just a few thousand viewers, past events have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Cianci, who has over 150,000 followers, explained that the goal of these town halls is to provide a platform for real people to question and challenge political candidates outside of traditional media settings.
While many of the creators involved in these town halls do not have backgrounds in politics, they share a common skepticism of politicians and institutions. The format of these events mimics traditional town halls on the campaign trail, but with a digital twist. Instead of being moderated by journalists, the conversations are led by creators vetting questions from their followers.
Kennedy’s participation in these town halls has allowed him to express his controversial views without facing fact-checking or pushback. Despite this, other third-party candidates like Jill Stein and Chase Oliver have also taken part in these events, emphasizing the importance of engaging directly with voters and bypassing mainstream media filters.
Cianci and her fellow creators are open to hosting town halls with candidates from all parties, including the Trump campaign. While the Biden campaign has declined to participate, the creators remain hopeful for more opportunities to engage with a diverse range of political figures. The ultimate goal is to provide a platform for open and unfiltered dialogue between candidates and voters, especially as younger generations seek alternative ways to connect with their elected officials.
In an era where social media platforms are becoming increasingly fragmented and regulated, these town halls offer a unique opportunity for candidates to engage with audiences in a more direct and authentic manner. By leveraging the reach and engagement of platforms like TikTok, creators like Cianci are redefining the way political conversations take place, outside of traditional media structures.
As the landscape of political communication continues to evolve, these digital town halls may become a staple in future campaigns, offering a glimpse into a more accessible and transparent form of political discourse. By embracing these new modes of engagement, candidates can connect with voters in a more personal and unfiltered way, ultimately reshaping the way we think about political participation in the digital age.
