Trinitee Stokes

Social media has transformed modern politics, giving rise to a new figure: the political influencer. What began in beauty, fashion, and entertainment has expanded into civic life, where elected officials now use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to shape public opinion and mobilize voters. Leaders such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demonstrated how digital fluency can build community and political capital at the same time.

This talk explores the strategy and risks of running a politician’s personal social media presence like a creator brand. How do leaders balance authenticity with authority? What happens when relatability becomes part of political identity? And how can public figures build digital trust without falling into influencer-style scandal? This session offers research-backed insight and practical frameworks for navigating influence, credibility, and leadership in the digital age.