#VIRAL, The Newsletter: August 7, 2025

Welcome to #VIRAL, The Newsletter, which shares need-to-know content trends and concepts for Dem social media, digital, and comms pros. Dive into this wk’s picks below.

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TikTok Content Trends

Give these a whirl (and post them on Reels & Shorts too)

“The summer I…” Trend: This trend taps into the current buzz around the latest season of the hit show, “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The trend has creators sharing a detail or set of details about their experience/POV this summer like this, using the text-on-screen formula of “The Summer I… [POV/ACTION TAKEN/EXPERIENCE HAD].” The lens on this trend can be positive or negative. For example, on the positive end:

• “The summer I passed a bill that will XYZ”

• “The summer the broker fee ban went into effect”

On the negative side:

• “The summer that the GOP passed a bill that will strip millions of their healthcare”

• “The summer that Trump’s tariffs increased prices by XYZ amount”

The lens can also be more about mentality or something that you did or did not do this summer. For example:

• “The summer that I didn’t sit by the sidelines”

• “The summer that we left Texas to stop gerrymandering”

The trend can be done with video or a carousel of images [and yes, as this adaptation shows, this trend works for IG too].

“Bitin’ list” Trend: The man, the myth, the liberal legend, Tyler Childers has a new song called ‘Bitin’ List.’ And this song essentially shares that he dislikes someone so much, that if he were ever to get rabies, that person would be on his bitin’ list or a list or a list of people he dislikes so much, he’d give them all rabies. The song is then being used by content creators for posts in both video and static image form that share a list of people that would be on their ‘bitin’ list.’ Now here’s the thing, in this current environment, that list could be taken or interpreted as a threat. So, more safely utilize the trend as someone in the political space, instead of listing people you dislike, list “POVs’ or “policy positions.” I know, it doesn’t have quite the same wam-bam feel, but it still gets a message across on where a politico stands using an audio that’s making things move. 

“Tariffs are passed down…” Audio: A spoof audio on the Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle ad campaign from hell – you know the one that was giving eugenics – this audio applies the same vocal cadence but toward explaining how tariffs work. Honestly, give the creator behind an Oscar IMO. Anyways, the audio can be used in a lip-sync style or with b-roll + tweets/data that further showcase the reality of tariffs. 

“Sorry, we’re late, they were throwing a fit” Trend: This trend, as seen here, involves a few players – a friend/family member/colleague that’s apologizing for being late because someone specific [yes, naming names] in their crew was “throwing a fit” aka putting together an amazing outfit. The trend is two-part, first starting with a video clip of the apologizing friend/family member/colleague. Then, the second part has the person in the great outfit strutting their stuff. The trend could be adapted as is between an elected and staffer, candidate and staffer, and so on. The second part could also be changed to show video of an elected/candidate/thought leader on stage giving a speech, at a ribbon cutting, talking with potential voters, etc – anything that shows that they would only be late because they’re so dedicated to showing up 110% at every moment in their job.

“Fits I threw and why” Trend: And for a GATG-made version of the trend above, there’s this hyper-political variation. It features a cover page or static image rather, shares the phrase “3 fits I threw recently and their culprits.” The following static image slides feature an outfit imposed with a screenshot/image of a political news story that made or makes the creator want to throw an actual fit. It’s a way to get the news into feeds that might not typically follow the news.

“She’s just another girl on the subway” Audio: Chappell Roan has returned with a song named “The Subway,” and like with this TikTok, it’s being used to romanticize taking the subway or a commute [you can truly romanticize anything if you try hard enough]. For mayors or other electeds that have made infrastructure improvements possible – orrrr are in the process of making them happen, using this audio to show them off would be grand. The resulting video could use b-roll of the subway/metro relevant to you with small text added to the video sharing what the improvement is, ex: “the new q line.” The video could also be comprised of b-roll of the metro being worked on. The caption then could play a role in explaining how the infrastructure improvements have been funded and what’s next.

“She’s not a Christiaaaaaan” Audio: This audio is back from the dead, and really we have to thank this creator for using it to spotlight the Christian in name only, Senator and candidate for governor in the state of TN, Marsha Blackburn. The audio can be used to highlight those that similarly fall into this category, or people/orgs that are/have weaponized Christianity to further hateful beliefs, policies, etc.

TikTok Audios

TikTok audios for BTS and b-roll vids

AUDIO → August *this is an evergreen Taylor Swift song that should be flagged in your library for use annually

AUDIO → original sound from Rahul

AUDIO → Threat Level Orange

AUDIO → Cowgirl in the sun

IG Reels Audios

Background audios that make Reels move

AUDIO → Carefree Days

AUDIO → Mix: Khruangbin

AUDIO → original audio

AUDIO → Brandy

Instagram Trends

Creative content concepts to try

“Heyy shawn, I need an investigation” Audio: This audio is an old school classic from the Jen Shah-era of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. It captures one of the housewives asking her lawyer to open an investigation and go the distance after being accused of something she didn’t do. Since the GOP loves to accuse Democrats of things they haven’t done or simply lie to the cows come home, using this audio can be a way of “punching back.” Specifically, it can be used to: share something that you’ve been accused of something you haven't done; relate to the Bravo fanbase; share what you’re doing about it is a way to punch back. 

“Sometimes it bothers me how calm Phil is under pressure” Audio: This classic clip from Modern Family has produced this audio. It can be used by two polar opposite staffers or colleagues rather that handle pressure a bit differently. It basically provides an opportunity to tap into office humor and share a little bit of the behind the scenes realities in a comedy sense. To make it happen, one person gets to act out being Claire and the other gets to act out being Phil – from there, add text if need be [not necessary].

What would an influencer do?

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If you could ask a political influencer anything — what would it be? How to grow an audience? How to go viral on purpose? How to work with creators that move the needle?

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 Threads to Thread

Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing two things that you were raised on [candidates, this one is particularly great for you].

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing a political reason a crashout is brewing.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing an example of why Trump is the most corrupt president ever.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing why we’re in “hell.”

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing a specific study or bit of research that’s had its funding cut.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by adding to the hash brown bit by sharing another thing that’s expensive that the gov should be working on reducing the cost of.

Skies Are Blue

Trending topics ATM on Bluesky

Intel

United Airlines

Dean Cain

Tim Apple

Mets

Arsenal

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