Political Fandom

When Belief Becomes a Brand

How political TikTok turned debate into performance, and followers into fans.

If you want to take society's pulse, scroll through TikTok. I've done that more than I care to admit, and what I found politically isn't debate. It's a spectacle. Something closer to a digital WWE match, where everyone knows their side is right and the only goal is to see who can land the best mic drop.

These creators aren't politicians or journalists. They're influencers. They're charismatic personalities who blend political commentary with humor, emotional appeal, and a lot of smug looks. TikTok notoriously supercharges they're reach because TikTok’s algorithm rewards engagement, not accuracy. Watch one video, and you’ll get a dozen more just like it.

Almost all of them play the "debunker" role. They stitch clips from opposing voices and tear them apart with sarcasm, fact-checks, or moral outrage. "Stitch Incoming" is the cue that a takedown is about to drop. But here's the thing: they're not trying to persuade the other side. They're performing persuasion for their side. It's a show. An exhibition of belief. The goal isn't to change minds, it's to build their base and fuel the tribe.

What struck me is that some of these influencers are smart. They're sharp, articulate, and persuasive. That makes me wonder: if they're that smart, they have to know exactly what they're doing, right? They're not just expressing belief, they're curating content. They know stoking the tribe's outrage and moral certainty is the fastest way to build followers, fame, and maybe even money. It makes me wonder if it's really about the issues or if it's just a strategy for growth. I can't say for sure, but it sure seems that way.

This isn't activism. It's performative activism, a market-friendly version of protest where the goal isn't to make a difference but to look like you care. It's virtue signaling in the age of social media. The message isn't, "let's create an open dialogue," it's "look how right I am and look how wrong they are." Most of these influencers aren't out to change minds. They're out to win followers. In the attention economy, the appearance of having a conscience is far more valuable than actually doing the hard, messy work of engaging with ideas that might challenge your own, or your tribe's.

This isn't a debate. It's a game. And the smartest players know exactly how to play it. The problem isn't that we're arguing, it's that we're still pretending we're having a conversation when we're not. Their performance is designed to shut down viewpoints. To humiliate, not understand. To signal loyalty to the tribe and not wrestle with hard ideas. The moment we step into that ring, we're not looking for truth. We're looking to confirm our bias and to win.

Belief has become a brand, and a lot of us are buying it.

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Author's note:

Not all of these influencers are gaming the system. Some are genuinely trying to foster dialogue and do good. The trouble is, it's hard to tell who's who. Especially when performance and persuasion blur. So, like with everything, be skeptical. Be curious, and before you join the chorus, stop and ask yourself: Am I here to understand, or just feel like I'm right?

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🔍 A List of Political Influencers on Both Sides of the Aisle For Your Entertainment:

• 🫏 | @brad.doggett | https://www.tiktok.com/@brad.doggett

• 🐘 | @therealathenak | https://www.tiktok.com/@therealathenak

• 🫏 | @nathanjunp | https://www.tiktok.com/@nathanjunp

• 🐘 | theoldermillennial | https://www.tiktok.com/@theoldermillennial

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–Luis

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