At least 50 House Democrats are facing criticism for posting identical talking points to social media, which some are calling a scripted performance. The message shared by lawmakers, including members of the “Squad” like Rep. Maxwell Frost and Rep. Debbie Dingell, focused on supporting a four-week funding extension to keep the government open. The identical posts prompted ridicule from figures like Elon Musk and Matt Whitlock, who called the Democrats “actors reading a script” and referred to them as the “cut-and-paste party.” Fox News contributor Joe Concha also criticized the Democrats for their coordinated social media strategy, labeling them as tacky.
Despite the backlash, Rep. Debbie Dingell defended the decision to have Democrats post the same message, explaining that they were united in their goal to serve the American people and keep the government running. This synchronized social media campaign is part of a broader trend among Democratic lawmakers to post coordinated content online, which has drawn scrutiny from observers. This includes a previous instance where Senate Democrats posted identical videos ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, repeating the same talking points about the rising cost of living. Senator Corey Booker defended the video as a means to reach a wider audience, indicating an intentional effort to break through online.
Amid these synchronized social media campaigns, Democrats have also faced criticism for other attention-grabbing tactics, such as a “choose your fighter parody” video featuring congresswomen like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Media fellow Jeremy Hunt suggested that these efforts were indicative of a party lacking a coherent message or strategy, resorting to theatrical displays to counter the messaging of the Trump administration. Hunt’s analysis reflects a broader sentiment among critics who argue that the Democrats’ emphasis on performative actions like coordinated social media posts and viral videos may be a distraction from substantive policy discussions or effective opposition to the Trump administration.
The perception of Democrats as resorting to scripted performances and attention-grabbing tactics aligns with a broader critique of their messaging and strategy. Critics have characterized the party as lacking a clear message or positive vision, leading them to rely on theatrical displays and social media stunts as a means of engaging with the public. This approach has been met with ridicule and skepticism, with commentators like Matt Whitlock and Elon Musk openly deriding the Democrats for their perceived insincerity and lack of authenticity. The Democrats’ use of coordinated messaging and social media campaigns may ultimately serve to reinforce existing perceptions of the party as opportunistic and out of touch with the concerns of average Americans.
As Democrats continue to face criticism for their coordinated social media campaigns, it remains to be seen whether these tactics will be effective in shaping public opinion or advancing their policy agenda. The party’s reliance on scripted performances and attention-grabbing stunts may further erode their credibility and alienate potential supporters, particularly if these efforts are perceived as insincere or disconnected from the concerns of ordinary Americans. Moving forward, Democrats will need to reassess their messaging strategy and seek more authentic ways of engaging with voters, in order to rebuild trust and credibility with the public.
