Welcome to #VIRAL, The Newsletter, sharing need-to-know content trends and concepts for Dem social media, digital, and comms professionals. Dive into this week’s picks below.
Email forwarded your way? Subscribe here.
TikTok Content Trends
Give these a whirl (and post them on Reels & Shorts too)
→ “It’s no concern of mine” Audio: This audio from the classic movie, The Emperor’s New Groove, is being used to illustrate how the U.S. government currently views people impacted by the government shutdown, and/or low-income people at-large. And if you’re like wait a second, how? This is the verbiage of the audio, with Yzma telling a “peasant” the following:
Yzma: “It’s no concern of mine whether your family has – what was it again?”
Peasant: “uh, food?”
Yzma: “You really should’ve thought of that before you became peasants.”
The style of the videos being made, look like this and this. As for application of the trend, it can be used more specifically to call out a state government, a specific elected or party, a candidate, etc or be used more generically as it’s been toward the current government.
→ “Allan, we’re so fucked” Audio: Ever been in a conversation with someone and realize you’re royally screwed? Yea, this creator taking part in this trend, can clearly relate. This two-part trend highlights:
The moment you hear information that you’re expected to react to with a smile, but actually screws you.
The moment you have to go back to the squad and tell them you’re all screwed.
This trend, which uses this audio, could be used to illustrate a political scandal, a relatable childhood moment, a historical moment that’s currently relevant, and so on.
→ “Group 7” Trend: If you’ve been seeing or hearing everyone under the sun say that they’re in “group 7,” it’s because of an incredibly smart marketing ploy by a musician on TikTok. As explained by this creator, the musician tapped into people’s desire for community by labeling people that saw her videos as a part of “group 7.” Group 7 has since become an inside joke of the chronically online, with roll calls in comment sections, videos like this and this – and brands joining in like this, as well. There’s no actual set foundation for what it means to be group 7 or not, but it generally is positioned as a “good thing” to be a part of. For creating content with the concept, it’s about aligning your org/candidate/elected with group 7 – an in-house example to think about. For executing on the trend, you can use the artist’s audio or pick your own, the real cornerstone is ensuring that “group 7” is evident somewhere on the video in text.
→ “Don’t forget Donald Trump is fucking felon” Audio: This audio comes right from the stage, and adds a party style bit of pizazz to the saying “don’t forget Donald Trump is fucking felon.” The audio can be used to create videos like this which provide a relatable reminder and reality check, as well as videos like this, which pose a question about the legal matters of things going on currently [and in the past]. Videos using the audio can use b-roll of the felon with text or article screenshots added.
→ “No King, No God” Audio: This artist keeps dropping bangers calling out the Trump Admin, and this one is a mic drop. It can be used similarly to how Constance does, sharing examples of what she’s singing about; it can be used to showcase No Kings protest footage; with a carousel of examples of what she’s singing about; with clips of what’s going on in the streets, and so on.
→” Fuck ICE” Audio: This one is pretty self-explanatory. An artist put out this song sharing her disdain for ICE, and that song can be used to highlight your own disdain. It can be used over footage of ICE; it can be used with protest footage; it can be used with a dance video or a reaction video that features text or image additions that highlight what ICE has been doing; it can be used with a carousel showing what ICE has been doing. Regardless of the specifics, the audio should be paired with a visual that makes it clear that you’re opposed to what ICE is doing.
TikTok Audios
Trending TikTok audios for BTS and b-roll vids
AUDIO → original sound JAE
AUDIO → original sound microplastic cat *this one is a heater
AUDIO → MGMT Kids TECHNO REMIX
AUDIO → original sound coconut
AUDIO → DRACULA RA
Need help developing your new media strategy?
Office Hours is here with the assist
Office Hours is your bookable, on-demand space for comms, digital, and new media support. Think of it as a quick pit stop to workshop ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and get clear, actionable advice you can put to work right away. Whether you’re shaping a creator strategy, looking for insights from a political influencer, or just need to pressure-test a new idea, Office Hours with Girl and the Gov® are here to help you move faster and move smarter in the new media world.
Instagram Trends
Creative content concepts to try
→ “I got 6 jobs, I don’t get tired” Trend: This Reels trend uses the song “I don’t get tired” to show off someone's many jobs/roles like this. It’s the ultimate trend for a multi-hyphenate, and works particularly well for a thought leader and showing their breadth of expertise/accomplishment/passions; the same goes for a candidate that’s introducing themselves to the world.
→ “Bam, right when you think I’m going to shut up” Trend: Now this trend is definitely oriented toward your long-winded yappers. The trend centers around this audio, with creators using it in videos like this to show off what they can’t stop talking about (ever). In a political sense, it can be used to highlight an issue/situation you never stop talking about – orrrr, if you’ve been called to shut up by an opponent, it can be used to clap back at them and the fact that you have no plans to shut up any time soon.
IG Reels Audios
Background audios that make Reels move
AUDIO → I’ve Seen It
AUDIO → The Gold
AUDIO → Volto di donna
AUDIO → Baille
AUDIO → noni comedy original audio
Threads to Thread
Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads
The Thread → Reply OR repost by additional details on SNAP.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing what the Trump Admin is doing with student loans ATM.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by adding another example of what makes this the most corrupt Admin of all time.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing another example of the Trump Admin pushing its luck with the law.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing another egregious use of American tax dollars.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by further elaborating on how SNAP helps the economy.
Skies Are Blue
Trending topics ATM on Bluesky
NBA Opening Night
Platner
Pikmin 4
Steph Curry
Lakers
Kevin Durant
BEFORE YOU GO…
…find more from Girl and the Gov®
→ Receive good news and all the political goss fit to print with The Gov Hub Newsletter
→ Tap into the creator world by subscribing to Keeping It Currant
→ Get on-demand comms and digital help with GATG Office Hours Sessions