As the political landscape undergoes its latest seismic shift, the Democrats are dusting off their smartphones and calling in the influencers for a crash course in digital engagement. That’s right: this isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a hustle for relevance in a world where social media reigns supreme, and legacy media takes a backseat.

Just hours before Trump’s latest speech to Congress, Senate Democrats were locked in strategic huddles with a dozen online personalities, think progressive influencers with millions of Zoomer followers. The vibe? Let’s tap into that sweet content creator power!

From rapid-fire TikTok videos to get-out-the-vote appeals hidden in Instagram reels, Democrats are churning out a barrage of online content. Even good ol’ Sen. Cory Booker is on board, proclaiming a mission to double their online engagement this year, because apparently, if you scream loudly enough into the void, the void will shout back.

Early metrics show the party’s digital footprint is growing, with over 87 million views on content responding to Trump’s speech. Sounds impressive, right? But here’s the twist: not all attention is good attention. After a coordinated barrage of identical scripted videos from a gaggle of Democratic senators criticizing Trump, they faced ridicule for lacking authenticity. According to Elon Musk (who, let’s be honest, is not exactly the gold standard for political advice), they’re just “actors reading a script”. Ouch!

And let’s not forget the infamous “Choose Your Fighter” video collage from a food influencer that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Cue the White House’s snarky response, because why not throw a second jab in the political boxing ring?

Despite the cringey moments, Democratic leaders remain unfazed. They assert that trial and error are part of this digital game. As Rep. Jasmine Crockett put it, getting real with the public is necessary, even if it sometimes involves “jumping” into viral video trends that feel awkward.

Gavin Newsom has jumped in too, launching a podcast to strategically shmooze on more right-leaning outlets. The goal? Broadening their base. Because if there’s one thing politicians love, it’s an audience willing to listen, even if it means rubbing elbows with controversial figures like Trump’s former allies.

At the end of the day, the Democratic Party’s approach to online engagement is a roll of the dice. Will they revive their image and connect with younger voters? Or will they slip further into cringe territory? Only time, and a TikTok or two, will tell.