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How the emerging TikTok deal could scramble politics on the platform

Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 8d

As a deal to sell TikTok to American owners starts to come into focus, there are a number of ways it could impact our politics heading into the midterms.

Here are my thoughts:

www.chaoticera.news/p/how-the-em...

Under new ownership, TikTok’s political landscape could be transformed in more ways than one

How the emerging TikTok deal could scramble politics on the platform

Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: If the TikTok deal goes through and the app comes under American ownership, will Republican politicians finally join in large numbers?

Currently, the top politics and news accounts on the platform are overwhelmingly left-leaning or non-partisan voices...

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 8d

More in today's newsletter: www.chaoticera.news/p/how-the-em...

Under new ownership, TikTok’s political landscape could be transformed in more ways than one

How the emerging TikTok deal could scramble politics on the platform

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: If the TikTok deal goes through and the app comes under American ownership, will Republican politicians finally join in large numbers?

Currently, the top politics and news accounts on the platform are overwhelmingly left-leaning or non-partisan voices...

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 8d

As a deal to sell TikTok to American owners starts to come into focus, there are a number of ways it could impact our politics heading into the midterms.

Here are my thoughts:

www.chaoticera.news/p/how-the-em...

Under new ownership, TikTok’s political landscape could be transformed in more ways than one

Opinion: The Right knows how to shape public opinion. When will Democrats catch up?

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 14d

💡 New in today's newsletter:

Danielle Butterfield from Priorities shares new polling and insights on Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel, what voters are paying attention to right now, and what Democrats should do about it. 👇

www.chaoticera.news/p/opinion-th...

New polling from Priorities asked voters about Kimmel and free speech

Right-wing Facebook scammers are grifting off Charlie Kirk’s death

Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 16d

NEW: For some online conservatives, Charlie Kirk's death has turned into a get-rich-quick scheme:

www.chaoticera.news/p/right-wing...

Anonymous LLCs spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on merchandise marketing

Right-wing Facebook scammers are grifting off Charlie Kirk’s death

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 16d

NEW: For some online conservatives, Charlie Kirk's death has turned into a get-rich-quick scheme:

www.chaoticera.news/p/right-wing...

Anonymous LLCs spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on merchandise marketing

Ro Khanna floods the zone

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 26d

↗️ RISING: Trish Regan, Shawn Ryan, Hawk, Brian Tyler Cohen

📉 FALLING: Brett Cooper, Matt Walsh, Sam Seder

These are the political voices winning YouTube right now:

www.chaoticera.news/p/the-new-po...

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · 28d

NEW: Rep. @rokhanna.bsky.social has been on over 50 podcasts this year (more than any other elected Democrat), having long-form convos with everyone from Hasan Minaj to Ryan Grimm and Glenn Beck.

I sat down with @sarahdrory.bsky.social to learn more about their team's strategy ⤵️

From Hasan Minaj to Ryan Grim, the Silicon Valley congressman is going on every podcast that will have him.

When podcasts do what the legacy press won’t

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Sep 4

In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, politicians have increasingly been going on YouTube shows and podcasts, perhaps expecting friendly or softball interviews.

Instead, many of these media hits are bringing a new level of accountability:

www.chaoticera.news/p/when-podca...

From Rahm to Ritchie Torres, unconventional hosts are cornering politicians in ways legacy outlets rarely attempt.

60 OnlyFans models and one (alleged) evening in Tallahassee

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 27

Read more here: www.chaoticera.news/p/60-onlyfan...

Everything you need to know about the RNC’s new chairman

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 27

New in today's newsletter, a snapshot 📸 of the top political-adjacent podcasts in the U.S this week 👇

[partisan lean is obviously subjective, don't come at me]

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 22

Thanks for the badge @beehiiv.com

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 20

Something noteworthy about these scruffy Dem populist candidates (Platner, Sage, Osborn, El Sayed) they all have very detailed policy platforms.

Meanwhile the DSCC's favorites - Cooper, Pappas, Stevens, Brown, Ossoff - don't have a single issue or policy page on their websites

Democrats’ midterm "manosphere" blueprint

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 20

I wrote about Democrats' midterm blueprint of scruffy, populist progressives running as outsiders in purple + red state U.S. Senate races 👇

www.chaoticera.news/p/democrats-...

A growing cohort of anti-establishment populists are running for U.S. Senate. Can they win over the Party?

Politicians keep launching podcasts. Is anyone actually listening?

Reposted by Kyle Tharp

beehiiv @beehiiv.com · Aug 14

to kick off 2025, we launched the beehiiv Media Collective🗞️

it's our commitment to give top journalists everything they need to go solo: VIP platform support, health insurance, legal coverage, Getty Images and more

fast forward to now, here's how it's going:

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Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 13

Cruz, Crenshaw, and Newsom have built successful podcast audiences, but most politicians' podcasts get only a few hundred listens per episode, according to data from Podscribe

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 13

Cruz, Crenshaw, and Newsom have built successful podcast audiences, but most politicians' podcasts get only a few hundred listens per episode, according to data from Podscribe

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 13

Today's newsletter is dedicated to every poor staffer whose boss has had the genius idea to launch a podcast...

www.chaoticera.news/p/politician...

More than two dozen current and former elected officials have launched podcasts in recent years. Most are finding out it’s harder than it looks.

The beginning of the end for Democratic scam PACs?

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 11

On days like today, DC would benefit from having a voice in Congress who could truly advocate for us on a national level.

Instead, we're stuck with 88-yr-old Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who repeatedly insists she’s running for re-election... 🙃

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Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Nick Field @nickfield.bsky.social · Aug 10

If Kamala Harris gave this same answer, word for word, she'd be endlessly mocked for it by now
bsky.app/profile/pale...

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · Aug 10

Pod Save America: Do you think it's time to recognize a Palestinian state?

Pete Buttigieg: I think that that's a profound question that arouses a lot of the biggest problems that have happened with Israel's survival, Israel's right to survival, in the diplomatic scene.

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Reposted by Kyle Tharp

Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 7

NEW: Yesterday, Democratic fundraising giant ActBlue emailed users informing them it would no longer tolerate many of the worst tactics that have become common among "scam PACs" on the Left.

Is this the beginning of the end for Democratic scam PACs?

After raking in millions, liberal scammers face new scrutiny and major platform policy changes

The beginning of the end for Democratic scam PACs?

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Kyle Tharp @kylewilsontharp.bsky.social · Aug 7

NEW: Yesterday, Democratic fundraising giant ActBlue emailed users informing them it would no longer tolerate many of the worst tactics that have become common among "scam PACs" on the Left.

Is this the beginning of the end for Democratic scam PACs?

After raking in millions, liberal scammers face new scrutiny and major platform policy changes